Abstract: A roasting oven having a large capacity heating well including a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls thereof and a top heating element for browning is disclosed. A function control panel featuring a touch-film interface and digital display of cooking modes is provided for the user's convenience. In an alternative embodiments standard electromechanical switches and rheostatic temperature controls provide the functions of the present oven. The heating elements are also fabricated in alternative embodiments to provide single-sided or double-sided configurations for particular heating applications. A lid member including the top heating element is attached to the present oven by electrically conductive supporting structures, which incorporate the electrical circuit for the top heating element and also provide for convenient disconnection thereof for cleaning and storage.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven with horizontal cyclonic convection air flow for enhancing equalized heating of printed circuit boards conveyed therethrough. Air circulation apparatus can include a first air movement fan for urging air to move horizontally laterally from the first side wall of the oven toward the second side wall of the oven across and above printed circuit boards being conveyed therethrough. A second air fan is positioned below and laterally displaced from the conveying means for directing a second air stream below the first air stream and oppositely oriented in order to urge movement of heated air across the undersurface of the conveyor for enhancing equalization of heating of the printed circuits boards thereupon. Preferably, both blowers are oriented to move air approximately perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyed printed circuit boards in opposite respective directions thereabove and therebelow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the temperature in an oven includes a circuit and software algorithm that reads the voltage across a standard resistive temperature device (RTD) or thermistor to determine temperature measured by the device. Using an unregulated high voltage supply to increase the gain and resolution, it overcomes the problems of small changes in resistance with respect to temperature. An additional input to measure the unregulated supply voltage is used as a reference voltage input. The apparatus includes resistor dividers for both the temperature sensor and reference voltages, a microprocessor having analog inputs, and additional components for noise suppression and open sensor protection.

Abstract: A counter-top cooker includes a base, a cooking chamber having a top end and a bottom end supported on the base, and a power head attached to the top end of the cooking chamber. The power head includes a heating element and a fan for directing airflow over the heating element and into the cooking chamber. The cooker also includes another heating element provided in the cooking chamber proximate the bottom end of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A range for heating foods having a body comprising a top surface, a first chamber located within the range, a second chamber located within the range, multiple heating elements arranged on the top surface for cooking food, an upper and lower heating element arranged within the first chamber, a warming element arranged within the second chamber, a control system further having a central processor for controlling the operation of the range, and an operator interface operatively connected to the central processor.

Abstract: A multirack speedcook oven includes a cooking cavity, a plurality of racks within the cooking cavity, an RF generation module operationally coupled to the cooking cavity and configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity, at least one heat source positioned within the cavity and configured to supply heat energy to the cooking cavity, and a control configured to accept data regarding said plurality of racks, the control operationally coupled to the RF generation module, and the at least one heat source for selective control thereof based on the accepted data.

Abstract: This is an electrically heated ceramic kiln and a method for varying the size of the kiln chamber by moveable top and/or bottom walls which can be moved vertically within the kiln chamber, together with a new method of insulating the kiln and providing captive air chambers about the kiln.

Abstract: The oven includes a lower electrical heating element which is located below a support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A controller is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. By way of a thermocouple, the controller senses the temperature in the oven and controls the lower heating element to maintain a set point temperature, i.e. 550° F., in the oven. When any of the upper heating elements is activated, and is in a broiling sequence the controller disables these upper heating elements if the temperature in the oven rises above an upper temperature level of i.e. 585° F.

Abstract: A device that heats food quickly by using more than one power level during a heating cycle, and a method of toasting including the step of heating a food item at more than one power level during a toasting cycle.

Abstract: A self-cleaning oven includes a cooking chamber, a first heating element inside the cooking chamber, and a second heating element inside the cooking chamber. The first and second heating elements are configured to be energized simultaneously during a first stage of a self-cleaning operation of the oven.

Abstract: An oven having a cooking chamber which has a pair of opposing sidewalls and a rear wall member having a pair of end portions and a protruding portion between the end portions. First and second stationary heaters are located within lower and upper portions, respectively, of the cooking chamber and a pair of movable heaters located between the first and second stationary heaters. Each movable heater is movably attached to a corresponding one of the end portions of the rear wall member and movable between a resting position and a heating position. Each movable heater is adjacent to a corresponding sidewall when the movable heater is in the resting position. A manually operated mechanical drive system moves both movable heaters simultaneously between the resting position and the heating position. Rack support members are attached to the sidewalls for supporting a lower rack below the movable heaters and an upper rack above the movable heaters.

Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor and cam cause a latch rod extending from side to side to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch plate is pulled inwardly, orthogonal to the direction of motion of the latch rod, so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.

Abstract: A roasting oven having a large capacity heating well including a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls thereof and a top heating element for browning is disclosed. A function control panel featuring a touch-film interface and digital display of cooking modes is provided for the user's convenience. In an alternative embodiment standard electromechanical switches and rheostatic temperature controls provide the functions of the present oven. The heating elements are also fabricated in alternative embodiments to provide single-sided or double-sided configurations for particular heating applications. A lid member including the top heating element is attached to the present oven by electrically conductive supporting structures, which incorporate the electrical circuit for the top heating element and also provide for convenient disconnection thereof for cleaning and storage.

Abstract: There is now provided a kitchen stove for preparing food, and an oven for preparing food. The stove or oven has a heating arrangement to make the cleaning of the stove or oven easier for a user particularly at the viewing window of the oven.

Abstract: A dual-heating element oven comprising a bake heating element and a broil heating element in combination with a control system that permits the selective alteration of the output of the broil heating element by the user to control the browning of a food item during the bake cycle.

Abstract: A cooking oven comprises a cavity having a separating and insulating plate which can be inserted horizontally in the cavity in order to split it in two sub-cavities. Each sub-cavity has heating elements on its side walls. The oven sub-cavities can be singularly or separately and this increases flexibility in use.

Abstract: A portable food container with incorporated heaters including a container portion. The container portion includes a first cover member hingeably coupled with the back wall for covering the open upper end. The container portion includes a second cover member hingeably coupled with the back wall for covering the first cover member and the open upper end. The second cover member contains a thermos bottle therein. A pair of heating elements are disposed within the closed lower end of the container portion. Three insulated receptacles are removably positioned within the container portion including two hot food receptacles and one cold food receptacle. The hot food receptacles are each in contact with one of the heating elements. A control panel allows independent control of a duration and activation time of day for heating by each of the heating elements.

Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor and cam cause a latch rod extending from side to side to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch plate is pulled inwardly, orthogonal to the direction of motion of the latch rod, so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.

Abstract: A small oven has a removable corrugated bottom platen. Bases of grooves formed by the corrugations slope towards one end of the platen when the platen is supported in the oven for use. As a result hot fat and other juices released during cooking drain off the platen making the platen less prone to contamination caused by burnt-on fat and therefore the platen easier to keep clean. The platen may have a planar cooking surface, in which case the platen is supported in the oven with the planar surface sloping towards the one end.

Abstract: A rotisserie grill includes a control device that alternates heat generation by a plurality of heating elements disposed at the periphery of a cooking chamber. The alternating heat evenly cooks food in a manner similar to a traditional rotisserie, while eliminating the need for food-rotating apparatus. The control device is a timer, which rotates a cam having a profile that actuates a switch. Heating elements are connected to the switch such that when one is energized, the other is not energized. The on/off cycle produced by the rotating cam repeats every 1 to 2 minutes. The rotisserie grill may be provided with multiple heating elements controlled by multiple switches. More than one cam may be employed to actuate the multiple switches in a complex pattern to simulate relative movement between the heating elements and the food.

Abstract: There is now provided a kitchen stove for preparing food, and an oven for preparing food. The stove or oven has a heating arrangement to make the cleaning of the stove or oven easier for a user particularly at the viewing window of the oven.

Abstract: A cooking oven comprises a cavity having a separating and insulating plate which can be inserted horizontally in the cavity in order to split it in two sub-cavities. Each sub-cavity has heating elements on its side walls. The oven sub-cavities can be singularly or separately and this increases flexibility in use.

Abstract: A grilling system for an oven includes a removable grilling platform defined by a food supporting rack, a basin, and a heating element positioned between the rack and the basin. The basin includes a bottom surface which is sloped in order to direct liquid byproducts of the grilling operation either into a collection container or to an auxiliary heating element used to vaporize the liquid byproducts. An exhaust system is provided to purge the oven cavity of gaseous and airborne byproducts.

Abstract: The oven includes a housing and a support member located in the housing for supporting food to be cooked. A lower electrical heating element is located below the support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A control unit is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements to allow electrical power to be applied to each of the two upper electrical heating elements simultaneous or separately. The control unit includes a controller in which is stored a plurality of menus with each menu being assigned given cooking time and power level parameters for controlling electrical power to the upper heating elements for operating these heating elements either separately or together.

Abstract: A self-cleaning system for a convection cooking appliance controls the activation and deactivation of multiple heating units, as well as a blower, throughout an initial preheat and subsequent phases of a cleaning operation. More particularly, at least first, second and third heating units are provided, with two of the units being positioned in an air channel assembly which extends about at least a portion of the oven cavity and the remaining heating unit being positioned within the oven cavity. The heating units in the air channel assembly are activated, along with a blower, during a preheat phase to heat the oven cavity at a controlled rate, while developed byproducts are directed through a catalyst. Following the preheat phase, the blower and one of the heating units in the air channel assembly are deactivated, while the heating unit in the oven cavity is activated to rapidly increase the temperature of the oven cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling temperature of a process chamber which includes a plurality of heating elements mounted juxtaposed to a cylindrical chamber sidewall of the process chamber for heating the chamber, and a plurality of thermal sensors with one mounted juxtaposed to each of the plurality of heating elements such that the temperature of the chamber cavity can be more uniformly controlled. The method may be carried out by first forming a substantially air-tight chamber cavity by a cylindrical chamber sidewall, a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure, and then positioning a plurality of heating elements juxtaposed to and surrounds the cylindrical chamber sidewall and then mounting a plurality of thermal sensors to the plurality of heating elements with one sensor juxtaposed to each heating element, and then controlling the temperature of the process chamber by inputting signals from the plurality of thermal sensors into a controller and then outputting signals to the plurality of heating elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controls for a multi-zone reflow oven. In the present invention a plurality of infra red thermal scanners are located at critical points along the path which a substrate passes in a reflow oven so as to generate an actual solder paste time/temperature profile as a substrate passes through the zones of the reflow oven. The actual temperature of the solder paste is determined at critical zones for generating feedback control signals. The time/temperature profile is stored for transfer to a different reflow oven so as to effect the identical solder paste time/temperature curve on the same or a different oven.

Abstract: A heating plate for a food warmer is disclosed. The heating plate has a surface for supporting an article to be heated and a plurality of heating clusters attached to the surface. Each heating cluster has a thermostat and a plurality of heating elements spaced around the thermostat. Each heating element is operably controlled by the thermostat.

Abstract: The oven comprises a housing and a ceramic support member located in the housing for supporting food to be cooked. A lower electrical heating element is located below the support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A control unit is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements to allow electrical power to be applied to each of the two upper electrical heating elements simultaneous or separately.

Abstract: A ventilation system for electrical food-cooking appliances comprising a cooking hob and an oven with a fan positioned in a compartment between the two in order to generate air flow for cooling electronic components controlling the oven operation, in which the fan is of variable speed, its speed being gauged on the basis of the appliance use.

Abstract: In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output the desired baking temperature. These inputs are selected by a user in response to rotation of a user interface knob mounted on a control panel. The control panel provides visual indication of oven cooking temperature selections through a first arc around the knob, and user selectable oven features (such as, e.g., OFF/CANCEL, BROIL, and CLEAN) in a second arc around the knob. The control device comprises a hub having a portion adapted to be drivably coupled to the user interface knob. The hub also includes a flange which has at least one cam. The device also includes a variable resistance element having a rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the hub.

Abstract: A domestic electric stand alone cooking apparatus has a lower part and upper part that hingably close together in use to provide a cylindrical cooking chamber. Each part has a separate heating element and that can be separately turned ON and OFF. A stirrer is mechanically coupled to an electric motor (not shown) so that, where required, the foodstuff can be stirrer continuously or intermittently. Different forms of stirrer are normally provided. This leads to a single cooking apparatus that can be used to cook a wide range of foodstuff satisfactorily.

Abstract: An electrically heatable hollow-body furnace with a secondary surface on which an analyte of a sample can be condensed prior to being atomized. The furnace is constructed in two sections which are capable of being electrically heated independently of one another. The secondary surface is defined by a surface of one of the sections. A process for atomizing an analyte of a sample to be examined, utilizing the device according to the following steps: introducing the sample into a hollow-body furnace having a secondary surface, condensing the analyte on the secondary surface and atomizing the analyte.

Abstract: A prepared meals system has at least one food container and cooking unit. The food container has at least two compartments for different foods to be heated at different temperatures and/or times. The cooking unit has at least one cooking station having two or more heating zones on a lower surface and at least one grilling element above the heating zones. The user selects one of several preprogrammed cooking procedures according to the indicia on a selected container having the desired food. A heat controller operates to control the times and temperatures of the heating zones and grilling element to appropriately cook the food in the container.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a self-cleaning oven and a method for operating in a clean mode for a self-cleaning oven are provided. The control system and the method allow for cleaning of the oven in a clean mode between a maximum temperature and a minimum temperature over the time period required for cleaning the oven. The maximum temperature is reached at least once during the clean mode and is, preferably, cycled to reach the maximum temperature a number of times during the clean mode. As a result of the cycling during the clean mode, a significantly reduced average temperature is required for cleaning of the oven during its self-cleaning operation.

Abstract: Multiple heaters are calibrated and controlled by a microcomputer, and a multiplexer for this system. The heaters are sequentially sampled and resistance calculated from voltage and current measurements. The operator enters a temperature for the calculated resistance to establish a calibrated resistance value. During run, the computer energizes and samples each heater to calculate its resistance. The calculated resistance if divided by the calibrated resistance to determine a resistance ratio. A look-up table is stored in the computer having resistance ratios for corresponding temperature. The computer compares the calculated ratio to that of the look-up table to determine actual heater temperatures. Based upon heater temperatures, the computer controls energization of the heaters until set points are achieved. Negative temperature coefficient and positive temperature coefficient transistors and semiconductors can be utilized.

Abstract: A pyrolytically cleaned oven includes an upper broil element and a lower bake element, the broil element is energized until the oven temperature reaches a trigger temperature, well below the glass transition temperature point of the oven porcelain enamel; then the bake and broil elements are alternately energized in a cyclical manner until an off temperature, somewhat above the trigger temperature but still below the transition temperature, is reached. Thereafter one or both of the elements are cycled to maintain the temperature with a range between the off temperature and a lower on temperature, also within the effective self cleaning range.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an incubator with improved control performance for the temperature and humidity in an inner box. The present invention is an incubator comprising an outer box having an inner portion made from a heat insulating material, an inner box disposed in the outer box through a space defined between the inner portion of the outer box and the inner box, a heating unit disposed in the space and adapted for heating the inside of the inner box, the heating unit being constructed of a plurality of heating means disposed at least on a bottom wall and left and right side walls of the inner box, and a control unit for independently controlling each of the heating means.

Abstract: A power switching arrangement for a self-cleaning oven appliance incorporating a unique arrangement of two double throw relays in the oven power control circuit. The two relays are operatively interconnected to selectively couple the oven bake and broil elements to the three wire power supply to switch the bake element across L1 and L2 and the broil element across L1 and N when operating in the bake mode, and switch the bake element out of the circuit and the broil element across L1 and L2, when operating in the broil mode. The interconnection is accomplished in a manner which prevents both heating elements from being simultaneously energized at full power regardless of the failure mode of the switching circuitry, thereby eliminating the need for a thermal limit switch to guard against excessive temperatures in the oven resulting from worst case switching circuit failures.

Abstract: The toaster comprises a housing for receiving the pieces of bread to be toasted or to be reheated and on both sides of this housing an electric heating element having an electric resistor (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) wound on an elongated support made of insulating material (10, 11).On both sides of the housing there is provided at least one second electric resistor (R.sub.3, R.sub.4), commutation being provided to connect to the mains, as desired, one or both of the abovementioned resistors.Use: to permit a plurality of heating modes in toasters.

Abstract: A photo resist drier for curing photo resist coatings on a metal foil is described. The dryer has an enclosure made of copper sheet and surrounded by strip heaters to heat the enclosure. The enclosure, heated by the heaters conducts heat and accordingly results in a more uniform internal temperature in the enclosure. The heaters are individually controllable. The vapors are captured by an exhaust system and removed from the dryer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric oven with self-cleaning pyrolytic system, includes a catalyst for smoke or fumes, at least one vault resistance and one sole resistance of standard values, wherein the oven further comprises means for powering at the beginning of a pyrolysis operation, simultaneously and exclusively the vault resistance and a part of the sole resistance, so that the power supplied by this part of the sole resistance is lower than the power supplied by the vault resistance, and wherein the catalyst is produced from a material that allows its activation prior to the saturation of the oven by smoke or fumes, exclusively through the convection heat passing into a pipe housing the catalyst from the oven, and wherein means are provided for powering other resistances after the beginning of activation of the catalyst, in order to reach the pyrolysis temperature.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a baking oven includes a baking heating element for heating the baking oven, a grill heating element disposed in the baking oven, a first thermostatic baking oven regulator manually settable to different temperatures for the baking heating element, a second regulator manually settable to different heating stages for the grill heating element, and a single setting device for setting and operating the first and second regulators, the setting device having a first control range in which the first regulator is adjustably controlled and a second control range in which the second regulator is adjustably controlled.

Abstract: An electric double oven having two self-cleaning cavities, one cavity also having microwave capability wherein forced air from a blower repels hot self-clean air from entering the waveguide. A circuit is provided for limiting the temperature of either cavity to approximately 505.degree. F. when the other cavity is above a temperature associated with self-cleaning. The circuit also limits the common microwave cavity to approximately 505.degree. F. when the blower is not functioning so that oven cavity air entering the waveguide will not present a hazard.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating food-warmer plates includes a housing into which a plurality of the food-warmer plates may be slid through slots in a wall of the housing. An electrical heating element is disposed under each food-warmer plate inserted into the housing. The heating elements may be switched on and off individually. In this way it is possible to heat only that number of food-warmer plates which is actually needed.

Abstract: The oven includes a muffle 1 in which are mounted at least one upper heating element 11b, 11b, at least one lower heating element 14, an air circulating fan 4 provided in the rear wall 3 of the muffle 1, a heating element 6 placed in the current of air produced by the fan 4, a device 8 for ducting the air in such manner that the air blown by the fan is directed in roughly horizontal streams in the chamber defined by the muffle 1, and an electric switching device. The latter selectively connects the heating elements and the fan to a power supply. This switching device has a given position in which it is capable of connecting the heating element 6 associated with the fan in series with the upper heating element or elements 11a, 11b while connecting the fan 4 and the lower heating element 14 to the supply.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique cam follower and rotatable cam accurately sets the threshold temperature of a thermostat switch. The rotatable cam includes relatively steep rise surfaces and the cam follower includes a generally flat mounting portion, a short blade portion and a slide portion in contact with the rotatable cam. An adjusting screw is threaded through the short blade portion close to the mounting portion. With this construction, the rotary position of the cam may be manually adjusted to accurately move the short blade portion and the adjusting screw to accurately move a thermostat switch contact only approximately one-third of the distance that the steep cam surfaces move the cam follower to accurately set the position of the thermostat switch contact to set the threshold temperature of the oven toaster.

Abstract: A cooking oven of the heat-cleaning type in which substantially all of the energy for heating the oven to heat-cleaning temperature is initially supplied by the upper or broil heating element. The broil unit is initially energized to raise the oven cavity temperature to the heat cleaning range during which time volatile portions of food by-products are evaporated, whereupon the broil unit is de-energized and the lower or bake heating element energized to maintain the temperature of the oven cavity in the heat cleaning range. The location of the lower bake unit relative to the lower wall of the oven cavity is dimensioned to insure that the temperature of the more difficult to clean front portion of the lower wall of the oven adjacent the door opening is maintained at heat-cleaning temperature for a time sufficient to effect removal of food by-products.

Abstract: In a cooking oven which is cleaned by pyrolyzation of soil within the oven cavity and has a smoke eliminator duct extending through the oven wall, with a smoke eliminator heater disposed adjacent to the duct inlet, a reducing gas sensor is mounted either adjacent to the oven end of the smoke eliminator duct or within the smoke eliminator duct near its discharge end. An electrical relay or microcomputer control is coupled between the gas sensor and the heater to initially heat the oven interior and to later deenergize the heater when the reducing gas sensor output indicates a desired oven condition. The oven heaters are temporarily deenergized when the gas sensor output indicate a smoke eliminator overload. If the gas sensor is mounted in the smoke eliminator duct, the smoke eliminator heater may be deenergized toward the end of the cleaning cycle, so that the effluent is not affected by the smoke eliminator heater before reaching the gas sensor.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique rotatable cam controls the bake, toasting and broiling modes of the oven toaster and simultaneously sets the threshold temperature of a thermostat switch during toasting, baking and broiling. The rotary cam includes a rearwardly extending rod portion having a radially outwardly extending lobe for cooperating with a cam follower portion of a bake switch for opening the bake switch when a bake operation is set and closing the bake switch when a toast operation is set. The rotatable cam also includes a circular disc portion positioned in front of the rod portion and integrally formed therewith. The circular disc portion has a cam surface that extends rearwardly and is in sliding engagement with a thermostat cam follower blade to set the thermostat cam follower for a particular toast color.