Abstract: A portable camp stove comprising a housing having two concave sections each having an open end and hinged to one another for juxtaposition with their open ends facing one another. One of the concave sections has a heat generating element secured therein beneath a heat transmitting support frame. The other of the concave sections has a collapsible wall assembly secured thereto and positionable to an operable vertical position extending above the open end thereof. A combustible product support platform is securable internally of the wall assembly, when in the operable vertical position, to support a combustible product thereon at a desired height. The wall assembly has at least one angulated reflective wall. A reflective base wall is also provided under the support platform for collecting ashes and radiating heat upwardly.

Abstract: A portable electrically heated warming container arrangement for transporting infusions or the like in rescue vehicles includes a thermally insulated case having a flat bottom and an electric heater for heating a plurality of infusion containers carried in the case. A electrical connector plug for detachably connecting the electric heater to the rescue vehicle power supply is provided in the flat bottom of the case and is recessed so as to the flush with the flat bottom. During transport, the case is positioned within a transport casing secured to a wall of the rescue vehicle. The casing has a flat bottom and low side walls defining an upwardly open receiving space snugly surrounding the lower portion of the case for securing the case against sliding and tipping.

Abstract: A heating device designed to be used within a refrigerated environment is provided with at least a first plate which is electrically insulated from an underlying resistance heater circuit. Plural insulating layers beneath the resistance heater reflect heat back toward the plate. The entire assembly is sealed against moisture.

Abstract: The rotary furnace has a generally cylindrical rotatable outer member that is driven by a belt and pulley arrangement. An inner member that defines the confines of the heating chamber is freely supported on the outer member to permit free expansion and contraction of the inner member with respect to the outer member. Insulating material disposed between the inner and outer members also joins the inner and outer members together during rotation of the outer member. The insulating material thus transmits the driving force from the outer member to the inner member to thereby cause rotation of the inner member. A cantilevered, non-rotatable heat supply structure extends into the inner member from one end thereof. An access opening to the heating chamber, that is normally sealed during furnace operation, is provided at the opposite end of the inner member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating stackable dishes. The apparatus includes a shaft-like heatable housing with an open top which can be closed off with a cover. A support for a stack of dishes is disposed within the interior of the housing. The support moves translationally in the vertical direction on guide rails and is linked to endless chains which are driven by an electric motor. By operating the electric motor, the support with the stack of dishes is moved to a vertical position which is convenient for removing or inserting dishes. This movement may be executed following an automatic opening of the cover. The operator does not need to bend over or to stretch to reach the dishes. An automatic control further serves to lower the stack of dishes into the housing and to close the cover after the passage of a predetermined time interval at the desired vertical position.

Abstract: An attachment for use with a household blender to convert the blender to a cotton candy making machine is the subject of the present invention. An open top container is provided with a rotatable hopper for receiving the candy making ingredients including sugar. A heating element proximate to the hopper melts the sugar. A drive shaft is coupled with the hopper and is adapted to be coupled with the drive coupling on the blender motor. Thus, when the blender is turned on, the hopper rotates causing the melted sugar and other ingredients to be directed through orifices in the hopper out into the bowl. The spun candy may then be worked into a ball utilizing a stick on which the candy is gathered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for maintaining the crispness and sensory appeal of fried food products after they are fried, but before they are served. The invention contemplates that freshly fried food products are positioned in a product holding area which is at least partially defined by a foraminous surface, such as a perforated plate, upon which the food products are placed. The food products are subjected to forced hot air circulation provided by a suitable blower and heating arrangement so that hot air circulates about the food products to evaporate moisture from their surfaces which migrates from their moist interiors, this moisture migration otherwise tending to render the food products undesirably uncrispy or soggy within a relatively short time. The present invention is particularly suited for use in the food service industry since a consistently high quality product can be served, with desired flexibility provided in the preparation of the product.

Abstract: A serving dish having a heater, and a method for assembling the dish. An electric heater including a resistance element enclosed in a heat conducting and electrical insulating material is adhesively bonded against the bottom of a serving dish of ceramic or the like. Holes through the material covering the resistance element provide for electrical contact with the resistance element, and these holes are filled with solder. A bottom plate of stainless steel or other electrically conductive sheet is adhesively bonded over the heater, and the bottom plate is heated to melt the solder and cause the solder to fuse to the bottom plate. The entire bottom plate has its edges sealed by a silicone rubber sealant or the like to encapsulate the heater. The resulting dish has a bottom plate to give a neat appearance, the bottom acting as electrical contacts to energize the heater and heat the contents of the serving dish.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector has a pair of wells that are axially aligned and open in opposite directions from the disinfector casing. Between the wells is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor which serves as a heater to supply heat through a pair of heat sinks on opposite sides of the heater. Each heat sink has a spherically curved surface which engages flush with a companion shaped wall of the lens well to enhance the transfer of heat from the heater to the solution within the lens well.

Abstract: A horizontally extending, hexagonally-shaped, metal platter defining a slightly upwardly convex cooking surface is supported on top of an upwardly diverging frustoconical hollow pot. The lower end of the pot rests on the top of an upwardly converging frustoconical hollow base. The platter extends horizontally beyond the upper end of the pot around the entire circumference of the pot. A charcoal or electric heat source within the pot causes air to be drawn through an intake vent in the base and heated gases to flow upwardly through the pot. The upper end of the pot has a plurality of V-shaped exhaust vents spaced around its entire circumference and the vents are sized so that the velocity of the heated gases rising through the pot and escaping through the exhaust vents is sufficient to insure that the outer periphery of the platter will be heated to a cooking temperature.

Abstract: A fail safe sterilizing apparatus for simultaneously sterilizing lenses contained in a lens case and a bottle of rinse solution comprising a housing having a lid displaceable between an open position and a closed position; a first heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a first recess for receiving a first container therein; a second heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a second recess for receiving a second container therein; said first and second heat members being displaced when said first and second containers are positioned in said first and second recesses and said lid is in said closed position; switch means operable only when said first and second heat members have been displaced for permitting energizing of said first and second heat members; and, control means operably associated with said switch means for simultaneously energizing said first and second heat members is disclosed.

Abstract: A countertop oven particularly well suited for preparing convenience foods, such as frozen dinners and hot sandwiches is provided. The oven includes at least one heating and serving tray with heat resistant handles, the tray sliding into slots in the oven side-walls with the handles on the outside so that the heating and serving tray may be removed from the oven and placed directly on a table for serving. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oven includes two pairs of slots for receiving two heating and serving trays and includes three heating elements. This heating configuration permits cooking on the two trays in about sixty percent of the time compared to conventional countertop ovens.

Abstract: An easily cleaned and serviced belgian style waffle iron has a cast aluminum base provided with a hollow interior opening downwardly between support legs of the base, an electrical power source component including a housing which is removably secured within the base cavity and includes a pair of electrical conduit plug receiving receptacles, a power line for connection to a source of electrical power, electrical conduit means for electrically connecting the receptacles to the power line and fasteners for holding the housing in the base cavity, a pair of waffle grid providing members are pivotally mounted on the base by a support shaft extending between spaced journal blocks which in turn are removably mounted to the waffle iron base in such a manner to allow easy removal of the blocks, shaft and grid providing members for cleaning or servicing thereof and a pair of detachable thermostat-electrical conduit members are provided to supply electrical power from the electrical power source component to heating ele

Abstract: Heat to disinfect contact lens is supplied uniformly to a well in which the lenses are placed, from a single small heat source by providing an area of high resistance to heat flow directly above the heat source.

Abstract: Roaster for green coffee beans and other beans and nuts comprising a dish or tray, preferably of lightweight, disposable construction having a rim of sufficient height to contain the beans or nuts during roasting and a bottom which is formed with openings, the number, size and pattern of openings being such as to support the beans or nuts yet to allow free and uniform flow of hot air and gases from below the roaster through a mass of beans or nuts on the bottom. The tray bottom is preferably formed with downward extensions of the material, e.g., material resulting from piercing the tray bottom. Also, the same roaster but with a downwardly extending rim or legs to support the bottom above an open source of heat and a cover fitting the upper edge of the rim with an opening permitting escape of air and gases. Also, such roasters with a supply of green beans or nuts to be roasted and a disposable cover or enclosure enclosing the roaster and beans. The roaster is preferably made of metal, e.g., aluminum foil.

Abstract: A portable unit for heating packages containing pre-cooked cold food, the unit acting to rapidly heat up the food to a service temperature level and to thereafter maintain this level. The unit includes a case having a rack therein divided by shelves into a series of compartments, each adapted to receive a food package. Standing vertically behind the rack is an air modulator including a stationary outer tube having a series of longitudinally-aligned ports communicating with the respective compartments. Rotating within the outer tube is an inner tube having a series of angularly-displaced holes which successively register with the ports in the course of a rotary cycle. Air drawn from the free region in the front of the rack is conveyed through a heater station and from there blown into the inner tube to create a pressure differential between the free region and the inner tube.

Abstract: Electrical heating unit for tipping-off vacuum electron tubes comprises a cylindrical resistance heating coil, a cylindrical heat-shielding means within and spaced from the heating coil and a support plate adjacent one end of the coil permitting leads of a vacuum tube to be positioned within the heat-shielding means. The heat-shielding means comprises a unitary member having a hollow cylindrical body, an outwardly-extending flange at one end of the body, and an inwardly-extending flange at the other end of said body adapted to support the leads of said vacuum tube with the tubulation of the tube extending therethrough. The body has a height that is less than the height of the longest lead of the vacuum tube.

Abstract: A heater for cups and fluids therein having an adjustable heat selector, heating circuitry and temperature stabilization circuitry, comprising a base support, an electrical circuit enclosing housing, an opening in an upper substantially horizontal surface of the housing for a heating element plate and heat sensor, and an upright section of the housing enclosing additional circuitry having a vertical, substantially cylindrical surface facing the heating element plate, substantially rectangular vertical surfaces for the remaining three sides of the upright section, the vertical substantially cylindrical surface and the substantially rectangular vertical surfaces forming an open-topped receptacle having inner partitions and a closed bottom for receiving assorted personal articles.

Abstract: A portable electric cooking grill having a base including side walls defining an open space interiorly thereof, a convoluted electric resistance element mounted in the lower portion of the base, and a crown-like tray having a central opening therein and supported on brackets connected to the side walls above the resistance element. A plurality of rows of ventilation openings are provided in the side wall of the upper portion of the base. A rotatable, perforated disc element is rotatably supported on a bridge element above the central opening of the tray. The disc element comprises a plurality of openings having cup-shaped deflectors integral with the disc and positioned above the openings and oriented angularly relative to the plane of rotation of the disc and in the same circular direction so that the rising, heated air will cause the disc to rotate. A steel grill element is supported on the crown-shaped tray above the rotating disc.

Abstract: Coffee roaster, preferably having no moving parts and suitable for domestic use, in which a current of hot air is caused to pass through a layer of coffee beans supported on a perforated plate or belt, the space above the beans being enclosed by sidewalls and a top cover having one or more openings for outflow of air. The top cover causes heat to be radiated back onto the beans and the flow of hot air causes water vapor and other gases resulting from roasting, also smoke, to be rapidly removed from the beans and vented. In a variant the roaster may be enclosed in an oven and the cover of the oven may be imperforate, the oven being provided with means to vent air, water vapor and other gases.

Abstract: A temperature controlled oven apparatus having a central chamber with a heater element and a pivotal inner baffle door, located within a removable outer access door, periodically opened or closed to regulate the exhaust of oven air and the admission of ambient air into the oven through a preheated plenum chamber.

Abstract: A hinged golf ball container for mounting over the speed control resistance elements of an electric golf cart having a bottom opening through which heated air from the resistance elements can pass. A ball supporting baffle within the container protects the golf balls from radiant heat and causes circulation of the heated air around the golf balls for raising the temperature thereof. A downwardly depending deflector assists in directing heated air surrounding the resistance elements into the golf ball container.

Abstract: A heater for wet dressings comprising, a case having a base with sidewalls defining a cavity, and an insert connected to the base and defining at least one recess in the cavity to receive the wet dressings. The heater has an electrical heating element in close proximity to the insert recess for heating the wet dressings, and the temperature of the heating element is controlled in the desired range of temperature of the wet dressings.

Abstract: Modular lens disinfecting device comprises a plastic housing with a heater and a heat sink lining a portion of the cavity and pressing against opposed caps on a lens case within the housing, thereby transmitting heat to opposed lens cavities within the lens case. A radial flange on the lens case body projects laterally from the housing when the lens case is inserted into the housing, thereby to facilitate manipulation of the lens case upon insertion into or removal from the housing. In making the lens case, the parting plane for the mold that forms the lens case body is positioned so that flash at said plane is precluded from projecting into either of the lens chambers.

Abstract: A counter-top unit for heating packages containing pre-cooked cold food, the unit acting to rapidly heat up the food to a service temperature level and to thereafter maintain this level. The unit includes a case having an apertured partition therein to form a compartment accessible from the front of the case for accommodating a stack of food packages with air-flow spaces therebetween. The compartment is spaced from the rear of the case to define a plenum and from the front to define an air curtain passage communicating with upper and lower air passages leading to the plenum. In operation, air drawn from the upper passage is heated and blown into the plenum to create a pressure differential between the plenum and the compartment, as a result of which the heated air is forced through the partition into the spaces between the packages to heat the food therein, the heated air also flowing in a continuous loop about the compartment through the passages to thermally isolate the compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating food, such as a serving of partially or fully precooked french fried potatoes supplied in a refrigerated or frozen state and requiring heating for being eaten, comprising a blower for blowing air, a heater for heating the air, a support for holding a receptacle containing the food in position for heating of the food by the heated air, and a system for causing the air to sweep through the receptacle and blow over and around the food in the receptacle for rapidly heating the food solely by the air. And a method of heating the food involving maintaining a receptacle holding it in a stream of high-velocity heated air and constraining the air to sweep through the receptacle and over and around the food in heat exchange contact with the exposed surfaces of the food.

Abstract: A contact lens bathing case, in which a pair of contact lenses is sealed with a cleaning and disinfectant solution, and a heating unit, for receiving and heating the filled case therein, cooperate to eliminate leakage problems, i.e. loss of solution, associated with improperly closed contact lens cases. The heating case includes a heating element and a movable lens case holder which is movable from an open position remote from the heating element to a closed position adjacent to the heating element whereat the solution and lenses may be heated. Closure prevention means prevent the holder which has received an improperly closed case from being moved to the closed position.

Abstract: Microfiches to be destroyed by heat treatment are placed within a disposable tube fitted with a sealing plug, then baked to a sufficient temperature to cause melting and discarded. The apparatus comprises an electric heating resistor and a tubular heating jacket for receiving the disposable tube, the sealing plug being forcibly engaged in the tube by means of a cap which is screwed down by hand. All negative sheets and documents having a photosensitive surface such as microfiches are destroyed economically without any contaminating waste products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tabletop-microwave oven combination wherein the microwave oven is provided with a cabinet having an opening at the top in which a horizontally sliding door is mounted. The tabletop also includes an opening in the control portion thereof adapted to receive the microwave oven and a pedestal or body surrounding the oven which is inserted in the opening. The door of the oven when moved horizontally to open the oven, slides in a slot within the tabletop or moves in a space just below the tabletop. The oven contains a tray designed to hold a utensil containing food and means are provided within the oven to lift the tray to a position astride of the oven when the door is open.

Abstract: A cabinet type enclosure, for refrigerating a plurality of food items on a plurality of specially configured meal trays has a plurality of thin, generally horizontal, fixedly mounted heater shelf members extending into the enclosed space from one side wall thereof. One or more covered containers of food to be heated are positioned on one side of the trays and are mounted on the trays slightly above the top surface of the tray and with their bottom surfaces in contact with heater plates on the heater shelf members. The meal trays have integral transverse abutment means which cooperate with portions of a container for hot food placed on the tray adjacent the abutment means for preventing longitudinal movement of the hot food container past the transverse abutment means by frictional contact of the container with the heater shelf as the tray is moved into or out of the enclosure and relative to the heater shelf along tray guides.

Abstract: A food warming and cooking cabinet comprising a housing having infrared reflective material on the interior surface, a source of infrared radiation located inside the housing and a support for a plurality of trays adapted to carry food thereon. The source of infrared radiation comprises two vertically oriented tubular infrared lamps located on opposite sides of the housing with the tray support therebetween. Each lamp is located in a recess in opposed side walls. The infrared reflective material is polished aluminum.

Abstract: Novel assembly for reheating snails. The assembly comprises at least one snail tray having a plurality of depressions. The depressions are adapted to receive a single snail. The assembly further comprises a heating apparatus comprising a series of depressions corresponding to those of the snail tray on the top surface of the heating apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for disinfecting contact lenses by heating, comprising a reservoir designed for holding a liquid and having a tight lid together with a heating device for heating of liquid therein, wherein the reservoir comprises a raised middle part or bridge for dividing said reservoir into two separate chambers or wells, and having a built-in heating device for direct heating of the liquid in said chambers.

Abstract: A modular oven device for baking rewound and varnished electrical components of substantial size includes front and rear oven sections, sized to pass individually through a passageway too narrow to accommodate the component to be baked, and assembled on a base section to define an oven cavity, and a heater/blower section assembled on one oven section. The oven sections are characterized by double, unsulated walls, flanges covering joints, a thermostatic control, and inlet and exhaust air flow regulation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-piece potable oven having a base plate, an oven body, a cover, and any of a skillet, "mess tray", steamer, or funnel lid. The base plate has a circular bottom portion and an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center. The oven body has an upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall and a substantially flat bottom with an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center thereof which is adapted to fit on the upwardly extending frusto-conical opening of the base plate. The skillet is placed over the oven body for frying or broiling. The "mess tray" is placed over the oven body when additional space is desired for baking, roasting, and general heating. The steamer is placed over the oven body when vegetables or seafood are to be steamed. The funnel lid covers the upwardly extending frusto-conical opening at the center of the oven body when the portable oven is used for steaming or popping corn.

Abstract: An electrically heated oven for mobile vehicles, such as vans or recreational vehicles, includes a tightly closed oven compartment divided by an internal, imperforate, vertical secondary wall spaced from the back wall of the oven into a front cooking chamber and a rear heater chamber. A thermostatically controlled, plate-like, low wattage electric resistance heating element operable at the vehicle voltage is located within the heater chamber intermediate the upper and lower edges of the secondary wall, which edges are spaced from the top and bottom walls of the oven to allow convection air flow between the cooking and heater chambers. The front surface of the secondary wall is dull and roughened to readily dissipate heat into the cooking chamber and the rear surface of the secondary wall is smooth and shiny to minimize absorption of heat thereby from the heating element. The oven is mounted from a face plate for easy installation into the vehicle.

Abstract: An energy saving food serving system for rethermalization of the food and for delivery prepared meals to locations remote from the place of preparation, such as to patients to hospitals and nursing homes. The system includes a mobile cart having its own rechargeable power pack that is utilized to propel the cart. The cart has separate bays, each having a tier of racks for carrying individual food serving trays. Each tray has one or more thermally isolated heat transfer devices which are selectably energized when the tray is in place on a rack in the cart. Preferably, each tray has a pair of heaters referred to herein as plate and bowl heaters and adapted to be operated by control means in either a continuous mode of operation or a rethermalization mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal disinfecting unit for the disinfecting of a pair of contact lenses disposed within a lens case along with a quantity of disinfecting solution, wherein disinfecting is achieved upon the heating of the solution to a prescribed temperature. The unit as disclosed includes an outer casing made up of upper and lower assembled sections, with an internal heating arrangement disposed therein including a substantially planar lens case support surface. Aperture means are provided in the upper casing section and disposed in relation to the support surface to define a heater well for reception of the lens case. In one embodiment, the aperture means is defined by inwardly extending flange, with a gasket carried thereon, such that as the respective casing sections are drawn together, the gasket will firmly engage the planar support surface to seal the heater well from the interior of the unit.

Abstract: A system for rapidly raising the temperature of a product having low thermal conductivity from a cold to a heated state in a manner bringing the internal temperature of the entire body of the product to substantially the same predetermined elevated temperature level. The system includes a chamber having a fluid-permeable product receiving section flanked by input and output plenums, and a main flow loop in which the chamber is connected in a continuous flow path in series with a heater station and an air pump in an arrangement in which air drawn from the output plenum and creating a negative pressure therein is conducted through the heater station and then forced in the heated state through an input line leading into the input plenum to create a positive pressure therein. The resultant pressure differential between plenums causes heated air to flow at high velocity through the section to heat the product therein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a contact lens disinfector unit for sterilizing contact lenses contained within a lens case. The disinfector unit includes a housing, a heating block within the housing for heating the lens case and the contact lenses therein to a sterilizing temperature, and a tray pivotally mounted to the housing. The tray includes a lens case receiving opening adapted to receive and support the lens case. The tray is arranged to pivot or swing between an open position disposing the opening outside of the housing to permit a lens case to be placed therein, and a closed position disposing the opening above and adjacent to the heating block within the housing to bring the lens case into heat transfer contact with the heating block. The disclosed embodiment also includes a latch for releasably locking the tray in the closed position, which latch will co-act with the tray to urge the tray towards the open position after disengagement of said latch.

Abstract: A toy oven assembly having a light bulb acting as a light and a heat source, is disclosed. The toy oven includes two identical component parts which are assembled to one another. In their assembled form they incorporate a substantially circular opening on a substantially horizontal top surface of the assembly. The circular opening is surrounded by a rim. A translucent or transparent dome shaped member is disposed above a heating chamber of the toy oven assembly and is held by the rim so that during operation of the toy oven assembly the dome shines with light giving the toy an interesting science fiction like appearance.

Abstract: A portable vessel for a sample of gas, some components of which may condence when cooled to ambient temperature. The container with inlet and outlet valves is surrounded by a heater and insulation so that the sampled material can be maintained above the dew point of any of its components.A method of use includes the step of purging the vessel with inert gas prior to the sample collection and introduction of the sample into an analyzer.

Abstract: A hot air grill comprises a base having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, which are hingedly connected with one another. A transparent casing for food to be cooked sits on the horizontal base portion and has an opening in one side to receive a heating assembly mounted on the vertical base portion. The casing comprises two deeply dished like halves which are assembled one over the other with the upper half inverted and a metal joining strip between their edges. Each casing half has in one side a semicircular opening which together form a circular opening to receive the heating assembly. The heating assembly comprises a radial type fan on the shaft of a motor mounted in the vertical base portion, a heating coil surrounding the fan and a cover having a central opening through which air is drawn in from the casing and then discharged from the periphery of the fan back into the casing after passing over the heating coil.

Abstract: Laminated heater plate assembly is formed from a plurality of layers of glass cloth and/or glass mat and epoxy resin which are laminated together under heat and pressure. One or more thermally conductive heater members are mounted in a cut-out region(s) in a pre-cured or "C" stage laminate top portion of the assembly while a plurality of uncured or "B" stage glass mat and epoxy resin laminations are stacked, assembled under the "C" stage portion and heater portion(s), and bonded to each other into a rigid, warp-free heater plate assembly which can be repeatedly subjected to steam or hot water without damage. Preferably, the resin density after bonding in the region of the edges of the heater portion(s) and the adjacent surrounding edges of the cut-out region(s) is greater than in locations spaced further from the heater portion(s) in order to enhance the sealing of the assembly in the most critical areas thereof.

Abstract: A food service device including a food-carrying cart which can be stored inside a refrigerator is provided with elements for heating the food before meals are served. The electrical system is comprised of switching devices which actuate the heating elements depending upon the presence and orientation of food trays on the shelf of the cart; a self-aligning coupling which can supply electrical power to the cart's heaters when the cart is placed in the refrigerator; and a timer which controls the duration of time the electrical heaters are energized to warm the food prior to service, and provide a keep-warm timing sequence for holding the heated food within a refrigerated environment.

Abstract: A heating well for a hot food serving appliance wherein a heat dispersing plate is supported on ledges provided adjacent the lower end of a well housing. An open-top stainless steel well pan fits within the housing with the bottom wall of the pan residing against the heat dispersing plate. A high-temperature electric heating element, mechanically secured against the underside of the heat dispersing plate by tabs, heats the well pan and a removable food pan nested within the well pan. The heat dispersing plate is fabricated from cold rolled steel, or any other suitable material having moderate thermal conductivity, to retard spot heating of the well pan and eliminate, or substantially reduce, thermal cracking of the stainless steel well pan. Simplified assembly of the heating well is accomplished by means of resilient push rivets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and conductively heating at least a portion of the sole of a ski boot and for convectively heating substantially the entire inner surface of the ski boot while the ski boot is firmly, but removably, clamped against a flat surface with the flat sole of the ski boot in extensive surface-to-surface contact therewith so as to permit drying of wet boots, warming of cold boots, and/or softening of the molded foam interiors of the boots, to render such boots more comfortable while maintaining the flat sole of the ski boot rigidly clamped in a flat planar condition to prevent warpage thereof. In a preferred form of the invention, methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and radiantly heating at least a portion of the sole of each of a pair of ski boots removably carried by, and clamped to, a boot and shoe tree and for simultaneously convectively heating the inner surfaces of both ski boots.

Abstract: There is disclosed a contact lens disinfector unit for disinfecting contact lenses contained within a lens case. The disinfector unit includes a housing having a forward end wall and a rear end wall and a heating block within the housing. A resistive type heater is engaged with the block and is coupled to an electronic circuit and connector to adapt the unit for connection to a voltage source for causing the heating of a contact lens case in engagement with said block, and the contact lenses contained therein to a sterilizing temperature. The housing forward wall includes an aperture which slidingly receives a drawer having a pair of upstanding spaced apart panels and a contact lens case receiving aperture therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing cooked or heated meals includes a food and beverage cabinet having heater shelves which include spaced heater elements heated by film heater means with silicone rubber comprising the sole means for securing the film heater means to its heater element and with silicone rubber further completely surrounding each heater element and being disposed between its heater element and film heater means to insulate the heater element from and raise it above the top layer of the shelf.

Abstract: A cabinet type enclosure, preferably in the form of a cart, which is adapted to be connected to a source of refrigeration for refrigerating a plurality of food items on a plurality of meal trays positioned in the enclosure has a plurality of thin, generally horizontal fixedly mounted heater shelf members extending into the enclosed space from one side wall thereof. The heater shelf members are adapted to be moved relative to and under hot food containers positioned on the trays to heat same. The enclosure also has pairs of tray guides on its opposing side walls. The meal trays have integral transverse abutment means which extend over a portion of the tray surface at a location above the surface.