Abstract: A conveyor oven is provided with both electric and gas-fired infrared heaters. The heat output from the gas fired infrared heater is controlled by cycling or pulsing the gas supply to one or more burners that emit infrared heat by heating a nichrome screen wire.

Abstract: An oven for heating a product is provided. The oven includes a partially enclosed housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a conveyor to move a product through the housing. The oven additionally includes a steam system for boiling liquid with an associated steam pipe and a heating element provided within the housing.

Abstract: Modular sample processing apparatus kits that can provide a user with the flexibility to customize a disk-based assay in view of a variety of factors are disclosed. The sample processing apparatus kits of the present invention include one or more process modules that can be retained within openings in a frame. The frame and process modules of the sample processing apparatus kits are preferably adapted for use in sample processing systems that compress the apparatus. The process modules may contain different reagents to perform different tests on the same sample materials or a variety of sample materials. As a result, a single sample processing apparatus can be used to perform a variety of different tests and may include a quality control module capable of providing feedback to the user as to the accuracy of the processes run using the sample processing apparatus. Methods of using the sample processing apparatus that include deforming the process modules and frame are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical grilling component includes two grilling structures separated by a gap. Each grilling structure includes a heating component and a conveyor belt positioned around the heating components. The upper portion of one of the grilling structures is beveled approximately 0.8°. The grilling structures are slidable relative to the frame of the grilling component for cleaning, and the heating components are also removable from the grilling structures. The gap between the grilling structures is adjustable between two distances. The conveyor belts include a v-belt received in a groove of the pulleys to prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belts also include an edge seal around the outer edge of the conveyor belt. After grilling, seasoning is dispensed onto the grilled food item when detected by a sensor.

Abstract: A reflowing apparatus for mounting parts on a printed wiring board, has a fixed heating portion for blowing the hot air to the printed wiring board, and a moving heating portion for locally varying the temperature of the hot air blown by the fixed heating portion to the printed wiring board.

Abstract: An exemplary hot-melting machine (20) includes a worktable (23), a number of carriers (24), a heater (25), at least one cooler (26), and a controller (28). The carriers are located on the worktable and are uniformly spaced apart. Each carrier is configured for holding a workpiece. The heater is configured for heating the workpiece. The cooler is configured for cooling the workpiece. The controller is configured for driving the worktable to rotate, the heater to move down toward and up away from a corresponding one of the carriers, and the at least one cooler to move down toward and up away from another corresponding one of the carriers. At each of successive stages in operation of the hot-melting machine, one of the carriers is aligned with the heater, another one the carriers is aligned with the at least one cooler, and a further one of the carriers is positioned such that a workpiece can be unloaded from the further one of the carriers and another workpiece can be loaded on the further one of the carriers.

Abstract: A controlled dynamic radiant (CDR) oven uses a dynamic heating method to reproduce food material changes that occur during the frying process without immersing the food in oil. The CDR oven includes a conveyance system for moving food along a radiant frying path having various heating zones. The conveyance system includes individual food portion carriers. Radiant emitters, for example IR emitters, are located behind a spatter screen in each heating zone and to each side of the radiant frying path. Different heating zones utilize different radiant emissions to achieve various heat fluxes and heat profiles, for example, mimicking that of an oil immersion frying heat profile. The radiant frying path can be optionally oriented along a substantially vertical axis to minimize the oven footprint. The CDR oven also can be combined with refrigeration/freezer unit and a payment and dispensing system for vending of food product.

Abstract: In a reflow soldering apparatus comprising a conveyor 4 to transport circuit boards 5 mounted with electronic components into multiple chambers 1, 2 and 3, and fans 6 installed in the chambers 1, 2 and 3, the centers of the impellers in the adjacent fans 6 are not on a single perpendicular plane along the transport line of the conveyor and arrayed offset to the left and right. This apparatus may also employ a structure wherein the centers of the impellers in the adjacent fans are not on a single horizontal plane and arrayed offset up and down. Further, it may also employ a structure wherein the fans are arranged with their rotation shafts inclined.

Abstract: In the first buffering area provided between the inlet of the furnace and the heating chamber, the ambient gas is blown to the printed circuit board from the lower side of the carrier device, while the ambient gas is sucked in the upper side of the carrier device, thus the outside air is prevented from infiltrating and the ambient gas is prevented from flowing out. Furthermore, the flux is prevented from being attached to the printed circuit board, by installing the flux dropping prevention mechanism in the suction port of the ambient gas.

Abstract: An apparatus to purify a melt is disclosed. A first portion of a melt in a chamber is frozen in a first direction. A fraction of the first portion is melted in the first direction. A second portion of the melt remains frozen. The melt flows from the chamber and the second portion is removed from the chamber. The freezing concentrates solutes in the melt and second portion. The second portion may be a slug with a high solute concentration. This system may be incorporated into a sheet forming apparatus with other components such as, for example, pumps, filters, or particle traps.

Abstract: A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A manufacturing oven for and a method of baking a workpiece presenting a transverse orientation relative to the oven, includes dual radiant and convection heating sources operable to uniformly heat the workpiece by focusing convection heating air towards desirous parts of the workpiece, and preferably includes a chamber, a high emissivity false floor, at least one radiant heating element beneath the floor, at least one reflector beneath each element and configured to redirect radiant heat energy towards the floor, a fresh air heater for delivering fresh heated air into the chamber, an exhaust system for removing heated air and evaporated paint solvents from the chamber, and at least one ceiling fan operable to cause lighter heated air to flow from the ceiling of the chamber and towards the workpiece.

Abstract: A processor and process method for preparing pre-cooked ground meat. An augered heated tube allows meat to be cooked as it is tumbled and moved through the tube. The cooked ground meat can be mechanically degreased through a mechanical process such as spinning to provide a meat product that has a controlled fat content. Then the meat can be packaged and irradiated to provide a pre-cooked meat product that is easy to use and that has a long shelf life.

Abstract: An oven has a housing, a heat source, and an aperture defined in the housing. A substantially horizontal deck rotates within the housing, and a number of substantially horizontal pallets are mounted on the deck to rotate relative to the deck. Each pallet has a lip. A source of motive power and a transmission system drive the main deck to revolve within the housing, and also drive the pallets to rotate relative to the main deck. The transmission system constrains rotational movement of the pallets relative to the main deck and causes each pallet to be oriented with its stopping member positioned opposite the aperture whenever that pallet is aligned with the aperture. The oven has a control system that monitors the length of time that an item remains in the oven, permitting items having different cooking times to be cooked simultaneously, even when introduced in a random order.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furnace (10) for heating preforms (20), of the type that comprises a preform-heating tunnel (12). According to the invention, the tunnel consists of a heating module (18) comprising vertical walls (14, 16) between which the preforms (20) travel. Moreover, at least one wall (16) of the module (18) is provided with at least one heating means (32) which is mounted to supports (34) such that it can move transversely and means (40) for adjusting the transverse position of the heating means (32) comprising at least one member (42) for controlling the movement of the heating means (32) between at least two indexed positions. The invention is characterized in that the control member (42) comprises an indexing boss (54) which can deform elastically such as to fit inside the complementary indexing notches (56, 58) on the corresponding support (34) at proximal and distal positions respectively.

Abstract: A circuit board and components provided thereupon are held by and between lower and upper palettes. The upper palette has protecting portions that are provided above and opposed to the components. The shielding components prevent light beams irradiated by a preheating light source from directly reaching the components made of colored synthetic resin. Meanwhile, the upper palette has openings that are opposed to the circuit board except for the components protected by the protecting portions members. The light beams from the light source travel through the openings and applied to the circuit board. Openings are formed so as to be opposed to terminals that are soldered on and connected to the circuit board. Inner surfaces of the openings are made of light-reflecting material that reflects downward the light beams from the light source.

Abstract: An oven for heating, cooking, or toasting a food product. The oven can comprise a conveyor for conveying the food product, and a parabolically shaped top surface with a plurality of reflectors connected thereto, to direct heat back toward the conveyor. The oven can also comprise a fan for circulating air within the oven cavity. The oven can also comprise a controller that can place the oven in an energy savings mode, when it detects that the oven is not in use. The controller can place the oven in energy savings mode by adjusting the speed of, or shutting off the conveyor, or by adjusting the amount of energy supplied to heating elements disposed within the oven.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention it is possible to rapidly heat a soldering item by reducing an initially larger volume flow at a constant or increasing temperature, effectively preventing small components from overheating. By using the volume flow of a convection heater to control effective heat transmission occurring on said soldering item, it is also possible to adapt the soldering process in an extremely flexible manner to special process requirements by virtue of the fact that adjustment of a modified volume flow can be controlled in a very quick and precise manner.

Abstract: A thermal head has heating elements that can be selectively driven independently from one another during a driving operation to directly heat, and thereby thermally activate, regions of a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet while the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is moved relative to the thermal head with the heating elements disposed in opposing relation to the respective regions of the heat-sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preserving, cooking and automatically dispensing dough-based products, such as bread. The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises an area (12) for storing frozen products and an area (16) for cooking same with at least one source of short waves having a wavelength of less than 2 ?m for quick cooking.

Abstract: A modular pizza oven kit, pizza oven finger assembly support, and a method of operating a pizza oven at different speeds and a control arrangement for performing the method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for toasting a piece of bread are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base to support the piece of bread so that the bread can rest thereon. Some heating elements are placed near to the two faces of the bread such that when the bread is conveyed in a horizontal direction while it is kept in a vertical position, the two faces of the bread can be uniformly heated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular oven for food products, the oven including a conveyor device for entraining the products from an inlet to an outlet of the oven, and comprising in cascade at least two, and preferably three, individual modules, each individual module presenting: a ceiling of adjustable height that presents first air and/or steam injection means for generating forced convection; a floor of adjustable height that presents second air and/or steam injection means for generating forced convection; floor burners for baking by convection, which burners are disposed between the floor and the conveyor device and are adjustable vertical position; and ceiling burners for baking by radiation, which burners are disposed between the conveyor device and the ceiling, and are adjustable in vertical position.

Abstract: There is provided an in-furnace temperature measuring method that is capable of reducing the number of operation steps that are required for temperature measurement, and effectively applying a measurement result even if colors and finishing states of a circuit board and an electronic part are changed. First and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) having the substantially same configuration and dimensions as those of a circuit board are inserted into a reflow furnace (11), the front and rear surface temperatures of the first and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) and air temperatures around the first and second pseudo circuit boards (12) and (13) within the reflow furnace (11) are measured. The entire surface of a metal whose physical value is known is black-coated in the first pseudo circuit board (12), and the entire surface of a metal whose given physical value is known is mirror-finished in the second pseudo circuit board (13).

Abstract: A treatment apparatus uses an inductive heating method to allow an object to be heated while preventing a treatment chamber from being heated. The treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment on the object has a treatment chamber and an induction heating coil section. The treatment chamber is capable of accommodating a plurality of objects. The induction heating coil section is wound around an outer circumference of the treatment chamber. The treatment apparatus also has a high frequency power supply and a gas supply unit. The high frequency power supply applies high frequency power to the induction heating coil section. The gas supply unit introduces a necessary gas to the treatment chamber. A holding unit is inserted in and removed from the treatment chamber under the condition that the holding unit holds the object and an induction heating generator adapted to be inductively heated by means of a high frequency wave emitted by the induction heating coil section.

Abstract: An induction sealer system which includes a speed monitor to ensure proper sealing of containers.

Abstract: A cooking device and method that conserves power consumption. The cooking device includes a controller that runs a program that controls the cooking device to changeover from a cook mode to an idle mode when food products are being cooked. The cooking device has a conveyor that conveys food products along a cooking passageway between an inlet and an outlet. A sensing device provides an output indicative of the presence and/or absence of food products on the conveyor. The controller responds to the output to lower the power consumption of the cooking device during the idle mode by operating heating devices and/or fans with lower power.

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 heats when an electric current passes through it.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a media conditioning module for being connected between a media source supplying sheets of media and a printing device. The media conditioning module is adapted to remove moisture from the sheets of media received from the media source before the sheets of media are supplied to the printing device. The media conditioning module comprises a heater and a cooler. The heater has manifolds positioned to supply heated air to both sides of the sheets of media as the sheets of media pass through the media conditioning module. The cooler is positioned to supply non-heated air to both sides of the sheets of media as the sheets of media pass through the media conditioning module. The heater is positioned with respect to the cooler such that the sheets of media pass by the heater before the sheets of media pass by the cooler.

Abstract: A process chamber of an installation for the thermal treatment of printed circuit boards is described. The process chamber may include a fan wheel supported on a shaft parallel to the printed circuit boards, the fan wheel being disposed between two walls of the process chamber. The fan wheel is open at its two end faces and the two end faces are at such a distance from the walls of the process chamber that gas flows in unimpeded in two substreams between the end faces of the fan wheel and the walls and flows out from the cylindrical surface of the fan wheel over the length thereof and in the extent of the process chamber in the form of a ribbon-shaped gas stream, the gas stream being directed essentially in the cross section through a channel onto the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A furnace of controlled heating and treatment of material using infrared radiation. The furnace is capable of continuous infrared treating of material with consistent radiation being applied to the material, ease of access to the furnace for maintenance cleaning and repair, excellent control of radiant cooling of the material to be treated, and ease of maintenance of a volatile component condenser.

Abstract: A firing furnace having a structure, which prolongs the durability of an insulative member, includes a plurality of heat generation bodies, arranged in the housing, for generating heat with power supplied from an external power supply, a connection member for connecting the external power supply and the heat generation bodies, a fixing member attached to the housing and including an insertion hole for receiving the connection member, an insulative member for sealing the space between the insertion hole and the connection member, and a restriction structure for restricting a flow of gas produced in the housing directed through a gap between the fixing member and the connection member and toward the insulative member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a treatment process in safety glass production by means of information representing a load of glass panels. Flat glass panels are conveyed through a heating lehr (2) and a quenching section (22). The treatment process is preceded by using a line camera (6) for reading the information representing a load of glass. This information is used in controlling the treatment process. The load-representing information is supplemented by automated detection of a glass panel's coating or the absence of coating. A glass panel's thickness is also measured. This information about coating and thickness is used in quenching for automated regulation of a quenching time and a blast pressure. Such information is also particularly useful for the automated control of convection heating (3c) included in the heating device.

Abstract: Disclosed a heater and a method for manufacturing the heater using a PCB process for providing a heater generating heat at a temperature that is proper to use by designing the heater having an accurate resistance using the PCB process on an insulated board.

Abstract: A particle reduction apparatus comprises a radiation absorption zone for receiving a gaseous flow carrying particulate matter. A transparent shield surrounds at least a portion of the radiation absorption zone. A radiation source for generating radiation and for directing the radiation into the radiation absorption zone to promote reduction of the particulate matter is provided, and an insulation layer at least partially surrounds the radiation source.

Abstract: A radiant shield and a furnace employing a radiant shield for controlled heating and treatment of material using infrared radiation. The furnace is capable of improved temperature control where material treated by the furnace may interfere with the quality of a measured temperature signal and temperature control based on that signal.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a roasting machine, which can roast both the food that needs to be rotated upon roasting and the food that does not need to be rotated while roasting. The roasting machine is provided with a housing for supporting and protecting a roasting cab and roasting pipes, a roasting plate for baking and heating various food which does not need to be rotated, roasting pipes for baking and heating various food which needs to be rotated continuously so that they can be uniformly heated, and a drive unit used to drive the roasting pipes to rotate. The roasting machine can be used to bake two kinds of food. As the roasting plate is removable, food which does not need to be rotated can be roasted when the roasting plate is placed over the roasting pipes, and the roasting pipes can be used to heat food which needs to be rotated so as to be heated, such as sausages when the roasting plate is removed.

Abstract: An oven includes: an inlet elevator having multiple receiving bays for receiving a piece to be heated in the oven where the receiving bays are stacked vertically and the elevator is configured to move up or down to align a receiving bay; a mandrel having multiple shelves to correspond a shelf to a bay of the inlet elevator, each shelf configured to support a piece received from the inlet elevator, the mandrel configured to rotate each piece on a shelf between a loading position, a baking position, and an unloading position; an outlet elevator having multiple receiving bays for unloading a piece heated in the oven, the unloading bays are stacked vertically and the elevator is configured to move up or down to align an unloading bay with a material handling system moving the heated pieces; and a microwave generator configured to heat at least one of the pieces when the pieces are in the baking position. A method of heating a material is also provided.

Abstract: A furnace of controlled heating and treatment of material using infrared radiation. The furnace is capable of continuous infrared treating of material with consistent radiation being applied to the material, ease of access to the furnace for maintenance cleaning and repair, excellent control of radiant cooling of the material to be treated, and ease of maintenance of a volatile component condenser.

Abstract: In the first buffering area provided between the inlet of the furnace and the heating chamber, the ambient gas is blown to the printed circuit board from the lower side of the carrier device, while the ambient gas is sucked in the upper side of the carrier device, thus the outside air is prevented from infiltrating and the ambient gas is prevented from flowing out. Furthermore, the flux is prevented from being attached to the printed circuit board, by installing the flux dropping prevention mechanism in the suction port of the ambient gas.

Abstract: A continuous feed volumetric heating and convection oven for heating articles includes an oven body, a conveyor for moving the articles therethrough, a volumetric heating source for delivering microwave or other volumetric heating energy to the oven body, and a ventilation system for delivering a flow of heated air to the oven body. The ventilation system includes a heater and at least one damper associated with an exhaust whereby air may be partially recirculated and partially exhausted from the oven body. Microwave chokes and microwave suppression tunnels are provided for limiting the escape of volumetric heating energy such as microwave energy into the surrounding area and into the ventilation system.

Abstract: A conveyorized oven that provides uniform cooking with control of the heater and/or the conveyor belt speed. The oven includes a controller that monitors power consumption of the heater and uses the power consumption to control the heater and/or the speed of the motor that drives the conveyor belt. The power consumption is monitored by counting the on time cycles of a switch that connects and disconnects the heater to a power main. Changes in the power consumption due to changes in loading are used by the controller to reduce recovery times of the oven temperature to a set temperature by controlling the heater and/or the motor. By using a stepper motor, there is no need for a gear box.

Abstract: A tortilla oven comprises a housing which encloses upper, center, and lower conveyors. The lengths of the conveyors are individually monitored and adjusted. The interior of the housing is heated by a plurality of the individually regulated burners that extend through the conveyors. Ambient air is directed upwardly along the sides of the housing for temperature control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring safety glass production or controlling a treatment process, such as a tempering process. Information representing a load of glass panels is used in controlling a treatment process, such as heating of glass panels, or in monitoring production. The information, which includes at least one of the following: shape, size, and position, is read with one or more cameras (6). This is possible as glass is made visible by means of reflected light as high intensity light is applied to the glass surface. The line camera (6) is used for receiving low intensity background light radiation incident through the glass conveying plane, a substantial increase in its intensity, as light is reflected by glass, being deciphered as glass.

Abstract: A hot dog cooker has a rotatable sausage rack received in a space between two supporting housings installed on a base housing mounted on a chases. The sausage rack has a pair of round end plates respectively mounted on the supporting housing, a plurality of transversal poles evenly installed on peripherals of the two round end plates, and a set of hanging means including at least two spaced placed identical hooks on each transversal poles. Each hooks has a ring end loosely surrounding the transversal pole and a curved end suspending downward for supporting a sausage thereon. Each curved end of the hooks has a mouth via which the sausage is able to be put in and take out. The hot dog cooker is able to cook more pieces of sausages at the same time without significantly increase volume and weight thereof.

Abstract: A horizontal carousel conveyor moves in a horizontal plane by using vertically-oriented conveyor links. When used with an oven, it continuously moves foods and other items in a closed, horizontal loop.

Abstract: A heating element that extends upwardly from a horizontal surface at an angle, can be used to evenly heat foodstuffs having inclined surfaces. The heating element can be flat or curved to be convex or concave.

Abstract: A horizontal carousel conveyor carries cone-shaped foods and other specialty-shaped foods through an oven, rotating the food on a heating station as it passes by heating elements and through the oven.

Abstract: A horizontal carousel conveyor moves in a horizontal plane by using vertically-oriented conveyor links. When used with an oven, it continuously moves foods and other items in a closed, horizontal loop.

Abstract: A horizontal carousel conveyor carries cone-shaped foods and other specialty-shaped foods through an oven, rotating the food on a heating station as it passes by heating elements and through the oven.