Abstract: A heating system heats casseroles placed on trays on a passenger plane. The heating system includes heating plates vertically arranged at regular intervals to receive the casseroles between adjacent heating plates to heat each casserole from above and from beneath. The heating plate includes a ceramic plate, a heating element buried in the ceramic plate, electrodes projecting from the ceramic plate, and a reinforcing frame. The heating plate is attached to the inner surface of a side wall of a cabinet. The junction of the heating plate and the side wall is sealed in a water-tight manner. The heating system is connected to a power supply by connecting a receptacle connector fixedly provided on the cabinet, and a plug connector elastically supported on a fixed part of the galley of the passenger airplane so as to be vertically, horizontally and axially movable.

Abstract: A heating chamber having a compartment which provides for heat sensitive packages of paper or cloth moistened cleaning wipes to be held for warming. The invention incorporates a heat deflector to assure that the heat is not directed against the bottom of the chamber. Heat conducting spaces insulated by outerwalls assure the container is evenly heated. There is easy access to and replacement of the package held. In the preferred embodiment, the container is held above the chamber floor and heat deflector so as to prevent direct heat from damaging the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A food service system for serving meals that include hot foods. The system comprises at least one generally circular dish having a top surface for holding the foods that are to be served warm, and a bottom surface, an electrical heating element in the dish for heating the foods on the top surface of the dish, and first and second electrical contacts on the bottom surface of the dish for supplying electrical energy to the heating element. The system further comprises at least one tray, having at least one generally circular well therein for receiving one of the generally circular dishes, and at least one aperture in the well for exposing the first and second electrical contacts on the bottom surface of the dish when the dish is seated in the well. The dish includes at least one foot and the well in the tray includes at least one stop for orienting the dish in the tray to orient the first and second contacts with respect to the aperture.

Abstract: The invention refers to a baking oven having a baking chamber which is accessible via a door and which is designed for introducing therein a carriage carrying baking goods so that the carriage is stationary during a baking process. The baking oven comprises two air channels extending laterally of the baking chamber at both sides thereof over the effective height of the baking chamber and being each separated from the baking chamber by a partition provided with a plurality of air passage openings. The air channels are, during the baking process, alternately supplied by a blower and, via a switching equipment, with hot air heated by a heating means. The hot air is humidified by a vapor supply means and transversely passes the baking chamber in alternating directions and is subsequently again sucked back along a closed circuit to the suction side of the blower. The blower and heating means are arranged at a higher level than the baking chamber and at least partially above said baking chamber.

Abstract: A portable warming container having an electric heating element, a temperature sensor, a battery, a wire loop, and a control circuit. The wire loop is arranged to charge the battery through the control circuit, and the temperature sensor ultimately controls the current delivered to the heating element from the control circuit and battery.

Abstract: A disinfector unit for contact lenses making use of a commercial power source, which can be used corresponding to commercial power source outlets of standards varying with countries and districts, i.e., various types of outlets operable at varying voltages, includes a heater element for receiving a power of varying voltages to heat a contact lens held in a lens case placed in a lens case holder to a predetermined temperature, an electrical controller therefor and a plurality of plugs, each including a case body provided in its one side with a cavity and an electric conductor from which varying types of inserts extend. The plug having the inserts coinciding with an outlet of commercial power used is selected and fitted in the cavity in the case body, and the extending inserts are plugged into the outlet to supply current for predetermined disinfection.

Abstract: A golf ball heating device includes an elongated housing having a lower portion, an upper portion and a central opening therein for receiving a plurality of golf balls therein. The housing holds and retains the balls in a generally central axial position and facilitates flow of heated air around the balls.

Abstract: A ventless hood for a commercial deep fat frying pressure cooker having a pot in which cooking is performed by the use of a heated cooking oil bath and steam under pressure derived from the moisture in the food being cooked. The hood comprises a vertical portion at the rear of the cooker and a forwardly extending open-bottom portion spaced from and overlying the pot. The forwardly extending portion of the hood supports a pair of angularly related baffle filters surmounted by a metallic mesh filter and a charcoal filter. A fan in the vertical portion of the hood draws ambient air and cooking gasses through these filters. A water tank is mounted behind the cooker together with a pump to recirculate the water in the tank through a heat exchanging radiator located between the filters and the fan to cool the water. During the cooking cycle excess steam and vaporized cooking oil are introduced into the water bath which acts as a scrubber and condenses the majority of the steam and vaporized cooking oil.

Abstract: A portable heating device includes a cabinet, a source of heat, support for a towel so as to exposed the towel to the heat, and an opening at the top to the heat. The towel heating device of the invention may be used to warm or dry towels or other like cloth materials.

Abstract: An appliance for electrically heated disinfection of contact lenses or similar ojects is provided with a molded plastic housing having a recessed cavity for insertion of a conventional side-by-side horizontal lens storage case containing the lenses immersed in disinfecting liquid, typically saline solution. The cavity has horizontally aligned opposite end openings through the sides of the housing and the openings are located and dimensioned to allow unobstructed sliding passage of the lens case from the cavity so that the lens case will fall by gravitation from the cavity through one of the openings when the housing is rotated 90.degree. to vertically align the openings. The cavity openings thus ensure that the lens case cannot be heated in the appliance in a vertical orientation which could damage the lenses by heated exposure above the level of the disinfecting liquid.

Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A tubular heater element is supported by the heater element in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is of aluminum material. A dielectric anodized coating on the wall member insulates the wall member from the heater element.

Abstract: A drying center comprises a cabinet and a drop board pivotally secured to the cabinet and movable between a dropped position wherein the board is substantially horizontal and a raised position wherein the board is substantially vertical. The drop board defines a plenum and in the dropped position has an upper surface defining a plurality of spaced apertures in gaseous communication with the plenum. The center further includes an air source for blowing dry air, a connector for selectively operatively connecting and disconnecting the air source and the plenum, and supports normally disposed within the cabinet for supporting objects to be dried over the apertures when the board is in the dropped position.

Abstract: A food serving device for holding and serving a warm food product such as bread or rolls includes a flexible wrapper within a receptacle for holding the food product. A battery powered heater applies heat to the receptacle and wrapper and is located in a housing below the receptacle. The housing has a cover with heat transmitting openings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooking device including a base member, a top member and a powered heater. The powered heater is disposed in an opening defined in the upper surface of the top. The base and the top may be hingedly interconnected. The powered heater provides air currents at a very high velocity to rapidly cook food materials, The motor and heater are easily removed for cleaning.

Abstract: A toothbrush sterilizer includes a housing member having a well formed therein for allowing the bristle portion of the toothbrush to be inserted into the interior of the well. The interior of the well defines a sterilization cavity. A closure lid is mounted on the top surface of the well, the lid having an aperture formed therein for enabling of the handle of a toothbrush to pass therethrough. Simultaneously, the lid minimizes circulation of air out of the well. A heat transfer element is juxtaposed with the exterior surface of the well. A heating element is coupled to the heat transfer element and when activated, heats the heat transfer element. The heat transfer element in turn causes the sterilization cavity to be dry heated a sufficient amount to sterilize the toothbrush bristles of the toothbrush positioned within the sterilization cavity.

Abstract: A portable container for heating and storing pizza includes a fabric box about 20 inches long, about 20 inches wide, and about 8 inches high supported in its four vertical corners by plexiglass strips positioned inside sleeves. A lower rigid panel located at the bottom of the fabric box is used to support a heating unit. An upper rigid panel located above the heating unit forms a compartment with the sides and top of the fabric box large enough to contain two pizzas in their delivery box containers. The heating unit includes an aluminum pan which contains a block of insulation having a one-half inch depression in its upper surface. A silicon rubber heating element is positioned inside this depression. The temperature inside the portable container is maintained between 165.degree.-180.degree. F. The portable container can be carried with one hand when used for delivery of hot pizzas.

Abstract: Into the baking chamber of a baking oven a carriage (7) carrying the baking goods (5) can be shifted in between two partition walls (13) having horizontal slots (14) through which hot air is blown into the baking chamber (4) in alternating directions. The carriage (7) carries channels (21) joining the slots (14) and being confined by guide sheet metal elements (20). By these channels (21) the air passing through the slots (14) is guided towards the center of the carriage and onto the baking good.

Abstract: A hot deck baking oven, which is an insulated cabinet enclosing internally heated decks, mounted one above the other; the bottom of one deck and the top of an adjacent deck form a baking chamber; baking is accomplished by holding bread dough in a stable thermal gradient in the baking chamber; each of such decks is cantilever supported from the rear and is spaced away from the sidewalls of the cabinet; the vertical supports of a bread rack inserted into the oven are guided into the oven by the opening between the sidewalls and the decks; the bakery product on the rack is held within each baking chamber; the sidewall/deck separation, allows moisture generated at each baking chamber to pass up the sidewalls of the chamber, to be vented from the top of the oven through an exhaust vent, an intake vent located below the lowest baking chamber allows air to preheat before entering the baking chamber.

Abstract: A heating appliance including a heating chamber, a selectively detachable door for opening and closing the opening of the heating chamber, a pair of support members pivotably supporting the selectively detachable door for allowing the selectively detachable door to be positioned so that it opens in a first predetermined direction or positioned so that it opens in a second predetermined direction. The selectively detachable door is detachably engaged with the heating appliance by the first and second engaging members.

Abstract: An electrical household appliance having structural members defining a baking room inside which electrical resistances opposed to each other and outside which a thermostat are placed, the thermostat including bimetallic sensors places across a fixed opening and adjustable openings, the baking room being closed by a door. The resistances along with diodes generate variable heat as a function of the operating time of the thermostat controlled by a reducing gearing device.

Abstract: A method of heating and maintaining the temperature of heated liquids which involves storing liquid receptacles in an insulated container, then heating the liquid in the receptacles to a desired temperature. The insulated container may include a wrapper member which functions as a carrying handle for the insulated container.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfecting apparatus includes a housing defining a pair of receptacles for receiving a pair of contact lenses and a quantity of liquid therein, a heater responsive to a predetermined electrical current for producing heat, the heater being configured and positioned in the housing for radiating heat to the receptacles for disinfecting contact lenses therein, energizing-and-timing circuit also mounted in the housing for controlling the application of the predetermined electrical current to the heater, an AC connector coupled with the housing for coupling with mating AC connector for energizing the circuit, and a shield interposed between the receptacle on the one hand and both the circuit and the heater on the other hand and providing collecting and draining for respectively collecting and directing outwardly of the housing any liquid which may escape or otherwise exit beneath the receptacle, so as to prevent the liquid from contacting the heater or the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An electric toaster oven for use both as a toaster and as an oven, including a heater or heaters for heating an article placed in a baking chamber, a baked condition detector which detects the baked condition of the article through the detection of the heat radiated from the article, a plate forming part of the wall of the baking chamber and having a heat guide opening for transferring the heat radiated from the article therethrough to the baked condition detector, a tubular guide for guiding the heat to the baked condition detector, and a control circuit which controls supplying current to the heater or heaters on the basis of a detection signal provided by the baked condition detector. The baked condition detector includes a pair of thermosensitive elements disposed in different thermal conditions, respectively, and provides a signal corresponding to the difference between the respective temperature-dependent output signals of the thermosensitive elements.

Abstract: A food cooking and heating cabinet including a food holding oven having at least one door for access to the interior thereof, an air heating chamber having an inlet and an outlet, an air heating element within the air heating chamber, an intake passageway to conduct heated air from the outlet of the air heating chamber to the food holding oven, an exhaust passageway to conduct air from the food holding oven to the inlet of the air heating chamber, an air temperature sensor within the air heating chamber, a closed air convection system consisting of a variable speed blower in the air heating chamber for circulating air past the heating element, through the intake passageway, through the food holding oven, through the exhaust passageway and back to the air heating chamber, a control for selecting a desired temperature to be maintained in the food holding oven, and a circuit for comparing the sensed temperature to the selected temperature causing the air heating element to operate and the speed of the blower to

Abstract: An apparatus for heat curing epoxy banded fiber optic connectors includes a housing containing a heater control circuit and an electronic thermometer. An L-shaped jig is attached to a surface of the housing with an interposing insulator. A heating element and temperature sensors are connect to the jig.

Abstract: An electric heating unit for detachable mounting in a motor vehicle includes an outer casing adapted to be fixedly secured in the vehicle and having a recessed portion for removably receiving an electrical heating appliance, such as a water heating pot, provided therein with an electric heating element and a temperature sensor capable of producing switching signals indicative of the temperature of the appliance. A power control switch and switch actuator responsive to the temperature sensor are located in the outer casing at a location remote and shielded from the heating element when the appliance is seated in the recessed portion. The power switch is connected in series with the heating element in a power supply circuit by mating detachable connectors on the outer casing and heating appliance. The temperature sensor and switch actuator are connected in series through the detachable mating connectors in a control circuit in parallel with the power supply circuit.

Abstract: Contact lens disinfecting apparatus is provided having first and second lens-holding chambers, an electrically conductive heat sink thermally coupled to said chambers, electrically energizable heater thermally and electrically coupled to the heat sink, a thermostat, a second heat sink coupled to the thermostat and a thermally and electrically conductive heat transfer member connected between the heater and the second heat sink.

Abstract: An attachment for a towelette container provides a path through which the towelettes pass as they are removed from the container and a heater warms the towelettes as they are in and move through the path. The attachment is detachably secured to the container so that it can be used on new containers as the original containers become depleted of their contents. The heater can be an incandescent bulb and the outer wall of the attachment can be at least partially light-transmissive, so that the attachment can also function as a lamp or night light.

Abstract: This contact lens sterilization device includes: a main body casing formed as an integral structure, with a main cavity and a power plug storage chamber being defined in the main body casing and being substantially sealed off from communication with one another, the main cavity further being substantially sealed off from communication with the outside, a contact lens sterilization chamber being at least partly defined by a portion of the main body casing which also defines one part of the main cavity; a control system accomodated in the main cavity of the main body casing; a heating system, likewise accomodated in the main cavity of the main body casing, and selectively actuated by the control system to produce heat and to apply the heat to the portion of the main body which partly defines the contact lens sterilization chamber; a power plug assembly, received in the power plug storage chamber, and comprising a pair of terminal portions which according to movement of the power plug assembly within the power p

Abstract: A collapsible mirror-heater unit for assisting in the application of ostomy pads is disclosed. A dual-faced mirror is pivotally mounted in a frame to expose either face and a heater is also pivotally mounted on the frame to be located in either of a stored or operative position. The device may be collapsed into its frame to provide a compact, box-like unit for storage.

Abstract: An electric toaster oven construction wherein a unique rotatable cam, cam follower and control panel construction accurately sets the threshold temperature of a thermostat switch. The rotatable cam is loosely mounted in the control panel and the cam follower urges the cam against a projection on the control panel to thereby sense the thickness of the cam between the projection on the control panel and the cam follower. With this construction, the height of the cam is accurately sensed although the cam may be warped or out of perpendicular with its shaft.

Abstract: A device for cooking fatty foods such as meat balls or other foods which are characterized by the production of liquid fat during the cooking process is disclosed. A pan having a bottom and upstanding side walls is provided. A removable heat-conductive tray is adapted to be supported in spaced relationship above the bottom of the pan. The tray includes a plurality of food supporting cavities and the bottom of each cavity is provided with a drain for permitting liquids removed from the food during cooking to drain into the bottom of the pan. Removable electric resistance heating means is adapted to be supported beneath the tray in heat conductive relation therewith for conducting heat to and throughout the tray sufficient to cook the food in the cavities, the heating means underlying the tray and positioned above the level of the drains so as to provide unrestricted passage of liquids emanating from food being cooked in the cavities for the drains to the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: An electric oven has a number of heating elements for heating the cooking chamber. A multi-position switch is arranged to couple power to all of the heating elements, such that the chamber can be used as an oven, or to only selected heating elements such that a grilling operation can be performed. However, when grilling it is best if the door of the cooking chamber is at least partially open so that air can circulate.The invention provides a mechanical linkage between the door and the switch such that if the switch is moved into its grill operating position, the door is automatically opened. In addition, if the door of the cooking chamber is closed, the switch is automatically moved into its oven operating position.

Abstract: A toaster oven of variable volume, including a box-like structure having a top oven portion and a bottom oven portion in telescoping relationship, forming a cavity and a front opening, a pin carried by the top portion, offset from and manually rotatable about an axis, a slot carried by the bottom portion adapted to receive the pin to telescope the top portion and the bottom portion, a door carried by the bottom portion adapted to cover the oven opening in all telescoped positions of the top and bottom, and a system of lever arms connected between the door and the food support rack adapted to slide a portion of the rack through the front opening when the door is opened.

Abstract: A small foldable household appliance having an elevated body supported by a stand, and having a safety hinge by which the appliance can be locked in an unfolded operating position, and by which the appliance can be folded for storage by depressing small buttons on either side of the appliance.

Abstract: A portable cooking appliance for the main purpose of cooking food in an oven or grilling food on a hotplate (4) includes a chamber (1) having an oven in which extends an electric resistance-heating element (14). There is placed at the top of the oven chamber (1) a cooking hotplate (4) beneath which extends an electric resistance-heating element (5). The element (5) is located within a compartment (6) which is separated from the oven chamber by a metal plate (7). The resistance-heating element (5) is connected to an adjustable thermostat (9) associated with a temperature probe (13). The electric resistance-heating element (14) is connected directly to the line supply by a switch (16) for interrupting the supply of current to the element (14) independently of the current supply to the resistance-heating element (5).

Abstract: The device for mounting a cooking apparatus of the present invention on a wall and the like in a kitchen comprises a wall fixing member to be fixedly mounted on the wall and provided with reinforcing members projecting forward; a supporting member rotatable up-and downwardly and provided with grooves in which the legs of the cooking apparatus are to be put; and a stopper member for preventing the legs of the cooking apparatus from coming off the grooves of the supporting member in case that the cooking apparatus is supported by said supporting member. Accordingly, the cooking apparatus can be easily mounted on the wall and the like in the kitchen without any extra members to be mounted on the cooking apparatus, so that a cooking apparatus of such a type originally used by being placed on a cooking counter and the like can be easily mounted on a wall in a kitchen.

Abstract: An electric toaster oven wherein a unique protective hood and toaster oven construction are provided for supporting a toaster oven under a kitchen cabinet in such a manner that the kitchen cabinet is effectively protected from heat, steam and flames that could come from the toaster oven. Generally horizontal handles are integrally formed on plastic side walls of the toaster oven for cooperating with horizontal guide flanges that are provided on the protective hood for supporting and spacing the toaster oven from the hood.

Abstract: An electric dual and quick cooking utensil includes, as usual, an outer casing, an inner pot movably provided in the outer casing, and a hood detachably coupled with the upper rim of the outer casing with respect to the inner pot. In addition to a grip and a plurality of air vents integrally formed thereto, the hood includes a metal hub, a hollow pipe, and a first heater respectively installed therein for baking operation. A pair of magnetic-type switches separately installed on the hood and the outer casing for providing power supply to the first heater. A hollow base is integrally coupled with the lower portion of the outer casing with a plurality of plates separately provided in the upper portion of the hollow base. A second heater and a blowing fan are respectively disposed on the plates, and a sensing device coupled with an IC board is installed in a round plate in conjunction with the inner pot.

Abstract: A rollably portable insulating cabinet having top openings for the replacle installation of self-leveling dispensers for stacked plates and the like has removeably assembled thereto, through a bottom opening, an air heater and blower assemblage of unitary structure and having longitudinally-extending heating elements so arranged and located with respect to vertically extending slot openings in the plate dispensers as to efficiently circulate blower-forced air heated by the heating elements through the plate dispenser slots for uniformly heating stacked plates within the dispensers.

Abstract: A food service system for serving a standard meal to a group of people. The various food items that go together to make up the standard meal are prepared, and meals are assembled by placing the food items on trays so that each tray is one meal for one person. The tray has wells for receiving dishes containing the food items, and some of the wells have electrical contacts connected to contacts on the handle of the tray. A heated food item is placed in a dish having an electric heater that can be energized from the contacts in the well of the tray. A group of the trays is placed into a carrier, and supported on rails by the handles of the trays. The rails are connected to a power supply so that the foods in the electrically heated dishes in the wells having electrical contacts will be heated, and others will not be heated. The carrier is ventilated to remove excess heat to prevent heating the cold foods.

Abstract: An electrically energized soft contact lens disinfecting unit formed of a surfactant resistant plastic material to render the unit immune from attack by detergents used to clean the lenses prior to placing the lenses in the unit.

Abstract: An adjustable welding furnace includes a gimbal-mounted furnace housing within which a workpiece may be preheated and subsequently welded. A removable cover is mounted over an access opening in the housing for pivotal movement along either of two edges of the opening. A rotatable spit assembly, which may be mounted in any of several positions on the housing, suspends the workpiece within the housing for rotation independent of pivotal movement of the housing. A drawer-mounted heating assembly may be easily removed from the housing for servicing.

Abstract: Dish for use with meal tray feeding system in which dish is lifted for heating by a heater shelf slid between the dish and the tray has improved retention to resist being jostled out of contact with heater. Two parallel runners on the dish bottom have downwardly extending foot portions at their ends which greatly enhance the retention of the dish relative to both a pair of guide rib portions on the tray and the heater shelf. The heater shelf is mounted by a bracket to the side wall of a cart within which the heater shelves are mounted and the foot portions straddle the bracket.

Abstract: A proofing or heating cabinet is provided having an enclosure with an interior and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls forming elongate heat ducts therein; the heat ducts having openings in their mutually facing surfaces. A modular heating assembly is removably disposed in the enclosure and has aligned end openings communicating with the heat ducts. Placed within the modular heating assembly at one end opening thereof is an electric heating element extending substantially thereacross, and at the other end thereof a blower device substantially extending thereacross to maintain generally laminar the airflow through the modular assembly.

Abstract: A portable controlled temperature food carrier is presented wherein independent heating and cooling temperature control units are freely interchangeable depending upon desired use. The individual temperature control units are easily removable from the carrier housing to facilitate replacement, cleaning and/or changeover from a heating to a cooling mode.

Abstract: A new and improved electric toaster oven is disclosed, wherein the heating ratio between upper and lower heat sources can be readily changed to suit the different requirements of the food item being cooked, while the rate at which the total heat is applied to the food item remains substantially constant throughout.

Abstract: The present food dehydrator may be substantially cylindrical in shape including a base member, a plurality of stackable trays, and a top. The base member has a first chamber adapted for receipt of a heater element for convection air distribution and a second chamber adapted for receipt of a heating element suitable for forced air distribution. The base member further includes a chamber adapted for receipt of an electric fan motor. The dehydrator is convertible between a convection heating made and a forced air heating made by selectively mounting the convection heating element and the forced air heating element in their respective chambers.

Abstract: An electrically energized evaporator and/or soft lens heating and disinfecting unit is provided which is compact in size in that it does not require a separate holder for the lenses. Instead, the unit itself forms the lens holder, and the holder has compartments for the left and right lenses and which are adapted to be filled with an appropriate saline solution, the compartments being heated by electrical heating elements to perform the desired disinfecting and sterilizing functions. These heating elements may take the form of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements. The unit is equipped with an electric plug which may be directly plugged into an electric receptacle to energize the heating elements.

Abstract: A portable thermally insulated case has an outer shell formed of a bottom wall and upwardly extending side walls integral with each other with integral rigid polyurethane foam adhering to the inner surface of each of the walls. A cover, which has rigid polyurethane foam on its inner surface, is hinged to the rear upwardly extending wall to close an access opening at the top of the outer shell. Each of the bottom and upwardly extending walls of the outer shell has a separate container in contact with the inner surface of the polyurethane foam and defining a recess therebetween. The cover has a container supported within the rigid polyurethane foam and substantially closing an access opening at the upper ends of the separate containers adjacent the upwardly extending walls so that the containers substantially surround any object within the recess. Each of the containers has a phase change material therein to supply heat to any object within the recess.