Abstract: An oven comprising a housing with a heating element having a heating layer, a support structure and a control system to control the operating temperature of the oven. The heater layer is preferably a thermally sprayed layer.

Abstract: A built-in oven has a door, a control panel positioned above the door and a cooling system including a fan-motor assembly for drawing cooling air around the outside surface of the oven and an exhaust duct for discharging air to the ambient. The cooling system comprises a cooling air supply duct above the top side of the oven and with an intake opening below the control panel, and an exhaust duct positioned above the supply duct so that its exhaust opening is placed above the control panel, the fan-motor assembly being mounted between the supply duct and the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A portable, temperature controlled food storage compartment. The compartment includes a base having an internal cavity including a temperature controlling element for controlling the temperature of food stored in the compartment, and a detachable cover including a number of side panels, a front panel and a top panel. Each of the number of side panels is pivotally connected to the top panel. The front panel is pivotally connected to the number of side panels. The cover is configurable in a food storage position in which a lower edge portion of each of the number of side panels is coupled to the base to form an interior volume at least partially defined by the base and the cover and for storing food. The cover is configurable in a collapsed position in which at least one surface portion of at least one of the number of side panels and the top panel contacts the base.

Abstract: Provided is a heating unit for an oven that does not employ conventional heat rays, lamps, and high frequency to cook food, but instead uses a ceramic heater and a heating element coated with ceramic to cook food, so that far-infrared radiation and anions are emitted during cooking to increase the taste of cooked food and allow food to be properly cooked without being burnt, thereby increasing the overall effectiveness of the oven. The heating unit includes a heating element, a controller, and a heat blocking plate. The heating element includes a ceramic heater that emits heat using supplied electrical power, and a heat radiating plate that radiates the heat emitted by the ceramic heater toward food. The heat blocking plate blocks the heat emitted by the ceramic heater from being conducted outside the oven.

Abstract: A method for raising chamber temperature includes steps of heating enclosed air in the chamber, and infusing the dry air into the chamber to mix with the enclosed air and push out the wet air. A heating apparatus is also disclosed, which will raise the chamber temperature and make the chamber isothermal in a short time so as to have the cost-effective advantage.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus and method for processing a wafer are provided. The thermal treatment apparatus includes a process chamber for thermally treating the wafer, a heating unit for heating the wafer in the process chamber, and a gas supply unit for supplying a gas and controlling a gas pressure differently by sections of the wafer. The heating unit is provided in at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the process chamber. The heating unit includes a plurality of heater blocks capable of controlling a temperature for sections of the wafer.

Abstract: Various present invention devices enable adherence to requirements for medical items. A medical item of the present invention includes a monitoring or data recording device to monitor and/or record medical solution conditions. The device may further include indicators to indicate compliance of the medical solution with prescribed requirements (e.g., manufacturer, medical standard or regulation, etc.). The medical item may alternatively include a barcode or transponder to uniquely identify the medical item to a thermal treatment system measuring and storing conditions in a central database. The present invention further includes various thermal treatment systems that monitor medical items for prescribed requirements and display the monitored parameters to medical personnel. In addition, the present invention may place time stamp information on medical items to enable determination by medical personnel of compliance with prescribed requirements.

Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally processing a substrate is described. The apparatus includes a substrate support configured to move linearly and/or rotationally by a magnetic drive. The substrate support is also configured to receive a radiant heat source to provide heating region in a portion of the chamber. An active cooling region comprising a cooling plate is disposed opposite the heating region. The substrate may move between the two regions to facilitate rapidly controlled heating and cooling of the substrate.

Abstract: A heating/cooling method, a manufacturing method of an image displaying apparatus, a heating/cooling apparatus, and a heating/cooling processing apparatus, in which the heating and cooling of a substrate can be executed at a high speed are provided.

Abstract: A food cooking oven has a front door, a back wall opposite the front door, and two side walls connecting the front door to the back wall. The oven also has a rear divider parallel to and spaced apart from the back wall, the rear divider running between the side walls and having a support bracket at a lower edge. The rear divider has a fan inlet. Side brackets are located along each side wall of the oven, each side bracket spaced evenly from the side wall to allow controlled amounts of air to flow between each side wall and each adjacent bracket. A solid cooking surface is adapted to be supported by the support bracket on the lower edge of the rear divider and the side brackets. A lower heating element is positioned below the solid cooking surface and spaced evenly from the solid cooking surface. A fan is positioned between the rear divider and the back wall, the fan is adapted to draw air through the fan inlet in the rear divider and push the air onto the lower cooking element.

Abstract: A temperature changing apparatus including a chamber defining a cavity is configured to receive a food product therein. A radially exhausting fan disposed in the cavity circulates air in the cavity over the food product. An air deflector disrupts the air radially exhausted from the fan.

Abstract: A temperature changing apparatus including a chamber defining a cavity is configured to receive a food product therein. A radially exhausting fan disposed in the cavity circulates air in the cavity over the food product. An air deflector disrupts the air radially exhausted from the fan.

Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention is directed to apparatus for warming pre-cooked sandwich buns and the like to a desired holding temperature and then holding the buns at such holding temperature. The apparatus comprises a cabinet having at least one compartment with a bottom wall, a top wall and opposite side walls. Adjacent the bottom of the compartment is at least one heat source for delivering heat to buns in the compartment. A control mechanism controls the heat source to deliver heat to the buns to warm the buns to the desired holding temperature and then to vary the amount of heat delivered to the buns to hold the buns at the desired holding temperature. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: After carrying an LCD substrate in a reaction container of a heat treatment unit, blowing a previously heated helium gas from a gas supply part, which opposes to the surface of the LCD substrate, over the entire surface of the LCD substrate. The temperature of the LCD substrate is raised by radiation heat of a heater and heat exchange with the helium gas. After performing CVD or annealing in the reaction container, cooling the LCD substrate by blowing a gas for heat exchange having a temperature about a room temperature from the gas supply part over the entire surface of the LCD substrate. Return the cooled LCD substrate to a carrier in the carrier chamber via a conveyance chamber.

Abstract: A gas preheater (10) includes an entrance plate (12) having a first side (14), a second side (16), at least one opening (18) connecting the first side (14) and the second side (16), and a plurality of walls (19) on the second side (16) having tops (21) spaced from the second side (16), the walls (19) defining at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h) on the second side (16) beginning at the at least one opening (18), and a diffuser plate (40) having a first side and a second side and a plurality of holes (42) between the first side and the second side, the diffuser plate first side defining with the entrance plate second side (16) and the plurality of walls (19) at least one circuitous passage along the at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h), the at least one circuitous pathway having a first portion (22e1) leading from the at least one opening (18) and a second portion (22e2) spaced from the at least one opening (18), wherein the holes (42) in the diffuser plate (40) overlie the circ

Abstract: For use on board a mobile means of transport (eg. aircraft, bus, ship), a heating system and method are described which lead to a reduction of peak demand in the on-board kitchen energy supply system relating to the integrated heating appliances for the warming or heating of food. For this, latent or thermochemical heat storage units are used which are fully integrated into the structural elements of the heating appliance in question and heats the product in such a way that there is sufficient heat output, while at the same time, the absolute temperature is limited by means of an appropriate choice of heat storage material for product enhancement.

Abstract: An oven (10) for a gas generating system (C) of the type that includes an interior chamber (22), heating elements (12), at least one gas generating module (14) mounted within the interior chamber (22), an air inlet (26) providing an input source of air, and a product gas outlet (16) includes an air amplifier member (2) that is mounted within the interior chamber (22). The air amplifier (20) generates an amplification of the air flow characteristics of the input source of air as the input air is introduced into the interior chamber (22) of the oven (10). The amplification promotes the oven air recirculation improving thermal uniformity and air distribution inside the oven (10).

Abstract: A heating muffle for a muffle kiln for the production of a dental ceramic product containing titanium, which comprises a hollow unit, which is provided with at least one opening for the uptake of the ceramic product and has completely heatable inner walls, an which can form together with a pedestal a firing chamber in which the ceramic product is heated by the inner walls, wherein the hollow unit comprises at least one spirally bent tube containing a heat conductor for a uniform heat transfer to the product and in order to avoid temperature gradients.

Abstract: A method of effecting high temperature vacuum heating and cooling suitable for conducting heat treatment to be performed on components used in a display apparatus. The heating/cooling method includes the steps of: heating a plate-like member placed in a reduced pressure atmosphere in a chamber by heating means opposed to the plate-like member; and cooling the plate-like member by a cooling plate which is opposed to the plate-like member, with the heating means therebetween, the cooling plate having a heat reflecting function. The cooling plate has an emissivity of not less than 0.50 but not more than 0.80 so as to minimize a sum of a requisite time for the heating step and a requisite time for the cooling step.

Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.

Abstract: A steam generator with improved safety and ease of use is provided. In this steam generator, water provided from a water tank is heated by a heater to generate a steam in a chamber, and then the steam is sprayed out through a steam channel. An overflow port is formed in the water tank such that an adequate water level is safely maintained even when an excessive amount of water is supplied into the water tank from a water inlet. The steam generator has a shutter disposed in a drain channel for water drained from the water tank through the overflow port and an interlocking mechanism for opening and closing the shutter in response to an opening and closing motion of a cover for the water inlet. This achieves good usability of the steam generator.

Abstract: A method of heating an optical member includes providing the optical member, directing heat from a heat source toward the optical member, and distributing the heat about the optical member through a high-thermal-conductivity apparatus disposed between the heat source and the optical member such that a surface of the apparatus defining a volume for receiving the optical member will have a substantially uniform temperature.

Abstract: A browning device for use in a microwave oven. The browning device can include an infrared generator for generating infrared radiation. The browning device being formed such that it has a hollow space. The interior surface of the hollow space facing the microwave oven cavity having an infrared absorbing material for absorbing infrared radiation from an infrared generator. The infrared absorbing material is constructed such that it is able to reach a temperature of 500° C. at which soot is vaporized or ignited. Quartz tubes may be utilized as the infrared generator.

Abstract: A system for heating optical members includes a thermally-conductive inner housing defining an interior volume for receiving an optical member to be heated, a thermally-insulative outer housing at least partially containing the thermally-conductive inner housing, and a heating structure disposed outside the inner housing and configured to provide heat through the thermally-conductive inner housing and into the interior volume defined by the inner housing.

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: The temperature of a plasma chamber of a semiconductor fabrication tool is maintained substantially constant utilizing a variety of techniques, separately or in combination. One technique is to provide the exterior surface of the plasma chamber dome with a plurality of fins projecting into high velocity regions of an overlying airflow in order to dissipate heat from the chamber. Ducting defined by cover overlying the exposed exterior surface of the dome may also feature projecting lips or an airfoil to place high velocity components of the airflow into contact within the exterior dome surface and the fins. Other techniques include employing a high speed fan to control airflow circulation, and the use of temperature sensors in communication the fan through a processor to control fan speed and thereby regulate chamber temperature.

Abstract: A reactor may be used for hydrogenating tetrachlorosilane. The reactor has at least one part fabricated from a silicon carbide-based material of construction. The reactor may include i) a pressurizable shell, ii) a thermal insulator surrounded by the pressurizable shell, iii) a heating element surrounded by the thermal insulator, and iv) a reaction chamber surrounded by the heating element.

Abstract: RF energy provided by electrodes positioned between a product is used to heat a product that exhibits a variable impedance during the heating process. As the product's impedance changes during the heating process, RF heating system impedance can be maintained constant by adjusting the distance between the electrodes, adjusting the impedance of a variable impedance device connected between the RF power source and an electrode, or a combination of electrode distance adjustment and impedance adjustment of the variable impedance device. The system is particularly applicable to the heating or pasteurization of bulk food products with multiple heating zones.

Abstract: The invention concerns a toaster comprising a frame arranged in a casing, at least a vertical grill chamber open at the top part of the casing, a peripheral roof at the opening of the grill chamber and integral with the toaster, having a top edge provided with openings for receiving rolls, heating elements located in the proximity of the grill chamber. The invention is characterized in that at least part of the edge of the rood is raised relative to the top part of the casing. Said integrated device for heating bread is associated with specially shaped grills for holding rolls, said grills comprising atop edge substantially perpendicular to said grills and oriented outwards of the chamber, so as to partially close the heating chamber, when they are brought closer to each other, thereby deflecting the ascending hot air flow generated by the heating elements.

Abstract: An infant-support heater assembly having a heater element a radiator associated with the heater element and a sensing element in contact with at least a portion of the radiator. The sensing element is separate from the heater element.

Abstract: A freestanding cover for a food tray has a flange section and a support section extending downwardly from the flange section. The support section supports the cover independently of the tray, with the flange section positioned above the tray opening. The freestanding cover is inserted into a heated compartment in a food warming cabinet and is supported on a retaining mechanism positioned on the shelf of the food warming cabinet. The retaining mechanism, in the form of a wire rack, prevents the cover from moving forward or backward. With the cover retained by the wire rack, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may be inserted into and removed from a receiving space in the cover, leaving the cover inside of the compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moveable heat exchanger for use with a high temperature chamber, such as for instance a nitriding furnace. The heat exchanger is between a first position external to the furnace, and a second position in which the heat exchanger projects substantially into the furnace through an opening in a wall surface of the furnace. In use, the heat exchanger is in the first position during a high temperature portion of a process and is in the second position during a cooling portion subsequent to the high temperature portion of the process. The heat exchanger sealingly engages the wall surface about its periphery to prevent the exchange of atmospheric components in either direction between the interior of the furnace and the outside.

Abstract: A system for heating optical members includes a thermally-conductive inner housing defining an interior volume for receiving an optical member to be heated, a thermally-insulative outer housing at least partially containing the thermally-conductive inner housing, and a heating structure disposed outside the inner housing and configured to provide heat through the thermally-conductive inner housing and into the interior volume defined by the inner housing.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly heating a shrinkable casing around a relatively non-shrinkable object. As one example, the present invention may be used to shrink a sleeve around a strand, such as fiber or copper. A contact approach to heating the a loaded sleeve is used wherein a predetermined temperature profile is applied to prevent the trapping of air during shrinking. The thermal profile may be selectively controlled by the application of a fluid to the junction where heat is applied to the loaded sleeve.

Abstract: The invention concerns an incubation and storage device, in particular for specimens of organic material, in which the boundary surfaces of the inner space of the incubation and storage device are thermally connected to heat transfer elements attached on the outside and the heat transfer elements have a liquid heat carrier circulating through them, where means for cooling and heating the heat carrier are provided and the heating and/or cooling of the inner space takes place indirectly via the liquid heat carrier. Here a heat transfer means for heating and a heat transfer means/evaporator for cooling the heat carrier can be provided. The heat transfer elements in accordance with the invention can, for example, be box shaped or designed as tubular coils. Through the use of a heat carrier the necessary temperature constancy inside the device is easy to reach and easy cleaning of the inner space becomes possible.

Abstract: An oven for maintaining cooked foods at temperatures suitable for serving the foods or even for cooking foods has a cabinet containing multiple heat sinks of channel-shaped configuration. The ends of the heat sinks open out of the cabinet, so that any heat sink may receive a tray of food from either the front or back of the cabinet. The interior surface of the heat sinks generally conform to the cross-sectional shapes of the trays, so that the heat sinks lie along the bottoms and sides of the trays. The heat sinks have a heating elements extended along their sides and bottoms for elevating the temperature of the heat sinks and directing heat into the trays within the heat sinks. In addition, each heat sink also contains a cover which may close the top of the tray in the heat sink and thereby retard the escape of moisture from the tray or may vent the interior of the tray.

Abstract: An electric resistance high temperature vacuum furnace having radiant heating units evenly spaced around the sides and ends of the furnace hot zone. Pairs of units are automatically regulated both radially and longitudinally according to the temperature required by the workload in the hot zone. The units each comprise parallel aligned elements electrically connected in series at their one ends. Each element has lengthwise surfaces angularly disposed from each other to form a beam structure of high section modulus for stiffness and resistance to sagging. Also, the angles of the element surfaces facing a heat-reflective assembly substantially enable all of the energy radiated toward the assembly to be reflected into the hot zone in addition to the direct radiation from the surfaces facing the hot zone. The furnace includes a re-circulating cooling system for rapid cooling of the furnace and workload.

Abstract: An oven for maintaining cooked foods at temperatures suitable for serving the foods or even for cooking foods has a cabinet containing multiple heat sinks of channel-shaped configuration. The ends of the heat sinks open out of the cabinet, so that any heat sink may receive a tray of food from either the front or back of the cabinet. The interior surface of the heat sinks generally conform to the cross-sectional shapes of the trays, so that the heat sinks lie along the bottoms and sides of the trays. The heat sinks have a heating elements extended along their sides and bottoms for elevating the temperature of the heat sinks and directing heat into the trays within the heat sinks. In addition, each heat sink also contains a cover which may close the top of the tray in the heat sink and thereby retard the escape of moisture from the tray or may vent the interior of the tray.

Abstract: A thermally efficient, low voltage, portable convection/conduction cooking oven that is an improvement of combination conduction/convection/radiant ovens, portable or permanently affixed in place. The oven contains a low thermal mass conductive cooking slab 6 heated by lower elements 17. The oven utilizes convective cooking by moving air with fan 10 across infrared bulbs 9A. The oven successfully utilizes 110-volt service, infrared bulb(s) 9A and lower elements 17 with a cumulative draw of no more than 1550 watts and 13.5 steady state amps while cooking foods in one fourth to one third the time of conventional ovens. The low thermal mass conductive cooking slab temperature is maintained optimally stable by means of lower heating elements 17 remaining energized throughout the conductive cooking process. The oven utilizes a unique grouping of thermally efficient improvements.

Abstract: This invention is a thermal management method for efficient, rapid, controllable and uniform thermal management over a wide temperature range. The method integrates a thermal source, thermal sink and a thermal diffuser. According to the invention, a thermal diffuser is positioned stationary relative to the wafer surface and coupled to a thermal source and a thermal sink, which are also stationary relative to the wafer surface. The thermal sink comprises a heat-carrying media with a controllable temperature. The wafer is heated from a first processing temperature to a second processing temperature during a heating time interval and then cooled to the first processing temperature from the second processing temperature during a cooling time interval. During heating and cooling, the wafer is constantly held in a fixed position. Zonal control of the thermal source and non-uniform flow of the thermal sink enable sensitive mitigation of thermal non-uniformity on a heating surface.

Abstract: A pizza warmer and oven system in which a plurality of pizza warmers containing a phase change material can be charged to their preferred temperatures by resistance heaters positioned in shelves above and below each warmer in an oven. One embodiment has top shelves biased in close proximity with the warmers. Moving a lever causes the upper shelves to be raised by cams, allowing removal or insertion of warmers. Insertion of warmers into the oven trips switches, starting timing circuits which energize the heater and charging indicator lights. At the end of the timing cycle, indicator lights signal the warmer's charged condition. In another embodiment, the top shelves are gravitationally biased down but are each free to move upward slightly for warmer insertion or removal. Turning on the oven energizes the heaters. A thermostat in the heater circuit turns off the heater at a pre-selected temperature.

Abstract: A freestanding cover for a food tray has a flange section and a support section extending downwardly from the flange section. The support section supports the cover independently of the tray, with the flange section positioned above the tray opening. The freestanding is inserted into a heated compartment in a food warming cabinet and is supported on a shelf mounted in the food warming cabinet. A retainer provided on the cover engages the shelf to prevent the cover from moving forward or backward. With the retainer so engaged, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may be inserted into and removed from a receiving space in the cover, leaving the cover inside of the compartment.

Abstract: A device for heating an enclosed space of the type used for housing small animals, including at least one heating element, at least one connector for electrically connecting the heating element with an electrical power supply, and a protective cover formed of highly thermally conductive material, such that the protective cover is shaped to transfer heat to the enclosed space without attaining a surface temperature harmful on contact to animals

Abstract: A temperature control system includes a cabinet or system housing having a plurality of heating compartments for containing intravenous solution bags or other medical items. Each heating compartment is independently heat controlled via a controller, and includes a heating assembly including a heater, a U-shaped heating plate, a temperature sensor and a cut-out switch for disabling the heater when a threshold temperature is exceeded. The desired or set point temperature for each heating compartment may be independently entered to the controller via an input device. The heating plate has a generally U-shaped configuration with a thermally conductive bottom wall and thermally conductive side walls extending therefrom. The heater is typically affixed to the underside of the bottom wall, wherein, upon heating of the bottom wall, heat is conducted through the side walls to provide an even distribution of heat to medical items placed within the heating compartment.

Abstract: An electronically controlled cooking apparatus for preparing and cooking food, such as a roaster oven, includes a main body having a bottom portion or base with sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, a cover for covering the main body of the cooking apparatus, and a control assembly for controlling operation of the cooking apparatus that is mounted to the bottom of the base in a recessed pocket formed therein. The control assembly is mounted in the recessed pocket in a spaced apart relationship such that there is a gap between the control assembly and the recessed pocket, allowing air to circulate around the control assembly for keeping the control assembly and its internal circuitry cool. The control assembly includes a control panel covering the front of the recessed pocket and extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A thermally efficient, low voltage, portable convection/conduction cooking oven that is an improvement of combination conduction/convection ovens, portable or permanently affixed in place. The oven contains a low thermal mass conductive cooking slab 6 heated by lower elements 17. The oven utilizes convective cooking by moving air with fan 10 across upper elements 9. The oven successfully utilizes 110-volt service, energizing upper elements 9 and lower elements 17 with a cumulative draw of no more than 1550 watts and 13.5 steady state amps while cooking foods in one fourth to one third the time of conventional ovens. The low thermal mass conductive cooking slab temperature is maintained optimally stable by means of lower heating elements 17 remaining energized throughout the conductive cooking process. The oven utilizes a unique grouping of thermally efficient improvements.

Abstract: A food thermalization device is provided, which permits the food to be thermalized and held for extended periods of time without causing the food to deteriorate. The device includes an electrically-resistance-heated plate, which is controlled to equilibrate at a set temperature in the range of 160° F. to 185° F., with a fluctuation not exceeding plus or minus 5° F. The plate draws much less power than other food cooking devices and occupies much less space for the amount of food it can prepare. A browning oven is also provided for exposing unwrapped food to very high temperature radiation for a short period of time to brown the food.

Abstract: An oven for maintaining cooked foods at temperatures suitable for serving the foods or even for cooking foods has a cabinet containing multiple heat sinks of channel-shaped configuration. The ends of the heat sinks open out of the cabinet, so that any heat sink may receive a tray of food from either the front or back of the cabinet. The interior surface of the heat sinks generally conform to the cross-sectional shapes of the trays, so that the heat sinks lie along the bottoms and sides of the trays. The heat sinks have a heating elements extended along their sides and bottoms for elevating the temperature of the heat sinks and directing heat into the trays within the heat sinks. In addition, each heat sink also contains a cover which may close the top of the tray in the heat sink and thereby retard the escape of moisture from the tray or may vent the interior of the tray.

Abstract: An oven for maintaining cooked foods at temperatures suitable for serving the foods or even for cooking foods has a cabinet containing multiple heat sinks of channel-shaped configuration. The ends of the heat sinks open out of the cabinet, so that any heat sink may receive a tray of food from either the front or back of the cabinet. The interior surface of the heat sinks generally conform to the cross-sectional shapes of the trays, so that the heat sinks lie along the bottoms and sides of the trays. The heat sinks have a heating elements extended along their sides and bottoms for elevating the temperature of the heat sinks and directing heat into the trays within the heat sinks. In addition, each heat sink also contains a cover which may close the top of the tray in the heat sink and thereby retard the escape of moisture from the tray or may vent the interior of the tray.