Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber surrounded by a heated water jacket. A glass access door of the chamber is directly heated by a clear, electrically conductive coating. The door is sealed against the perimeter of the opening by a readily replaceable gasket and is field reversible due to unique hinge mounting assemblies. An easily accessed blower assembly is located within the chamber and includes a HEPA filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber. A filtered air exchange system is provided for limiting the maximum level of humidity in the chamber. The incubator control maintains constant power output from the blower motor so that the heat output of the motor is also constant. A voltage compensated temperature control is also provided for the heaters associated with the water jacket. Compensation for environmental conditions inside the chamber is also provided by the control for producing more accurate readings of carbon dioxide levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a processing apparatus having an object holding means for holding an object to be processed, a processing chamber for housing the object to be processed and the object holding means, an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays on the object to be processed, an ultraviolet irradiation means chamber incorporating the ultraviolet irradiation means, an opening/closing means for opening/closing an opening for allowing the processing chamber to communicate with the ultraviolet irradiation means chamber, a first exhaust means for exhausting ozone which is produced upon irradiation of the ultraviolet ray by the ultraviolet irradiation means and present in the processing chamber, and a second exhaust means for exhausting ozone produced in the ultraviolet irradiation means chamber, and a processing method using the same.

Abstract: A furnace comprises an enclosure, a hearth plate within the enclosure for supporting combustible material, a first heater element adjacent the hearth plate for initial combustion of the combustible material, a filter disposed above the hearth plate for filtering uncombusted products of combustion of the combustible material, and a second heater element adjacent the filter for final combustion of the uncombusted products of combustion filtered by the filter. A controller controls the first and second heater elements independently.

Abstract: A novel electrically power heater for heating samples to very high temperatures is disclosed. The heater includes a heater base having a plurality of concentric circular rings. Each ring includes a plurality of heat lamps coupled to the heater body. The height of each concentric ring is variable and be set during design to any desirable height. In one embodiment, the height of each of the concentric rings is adjusted so as to form a contiguous upwardly sloping arc from the outermost ring to the innermost ring. In another embodiment, the height of the concentric rings is adjusted so as to form a combination of upwardly and downwardly sloping arcs. In both embodiments, the lower surface of the heater body is shaped to form a reflector. The reflector for each ring consists of two portions, each substantially elliptically shaped so as to greatly reduce back reflections through the filament of the heat lamp.

Abstract: An electric furnace includes a heating element which is a hollow element made of a lanthanum chromite ceramic having an interior with two open ends in an longitudinal direction, terminal portions at the two ends, and a heat-generating portion between the terminal portions. The terminal portion has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the heat-generating portion on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The heating element is provided with high-temperature electrodes and metallic lead wires attached to the terminal portions to generate heat in the heat-generating portion. The electric furnace further includes a heat-insulating material surrounding the heating element, and a hollow ceramic member placed in the interior of the heating element.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber surrounded by a heated water jacket. A glass access door of the chamber is directly heated by a clear, electrically conductive coating. The door is sealed against the perimeter of the opening by a readily replaceable gasket and is field reversible due to unique hinge mounting assemblies. An easily accessed blower assembly is located within the chamber and includes a HEPA filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber. A filtered air exchange system is provided for limiting the maximum level of humidity in the chamber. The incubator control maintains constant power output from the blower motor so that the heat output of the motor is also constant. A voltage compensated temperature control is also provided for the heaters associated with the water jacket. Compensation for environmental conditions inside the chamber is also provided by the control for producing more accurate readings of carbon dioxide levels.

Abstract: A reforming reactor is provided with a catalyst and a heating resistor. The heating resistor is embedded in a catalyst. A reforming reactor can start rapidly with high thermal efficiency and which is excellent in recovery of hydrogen.

Abstract: A convectively-enhanced radiant heat oven includes an elongated cooking chamber with first and second ends positioned opposite each other. A removable holder is positioned in the chamber to hold food items for cooking. One or more heating devices are placed in the chamber to create radiant heat. An air circulating device for circulating heated air within the chamber is positioned within the chamber on the first end. A vent, positioned along a wall of the internal chamber nearest the second end is used to adjust cooking characteristics of the oven. The oven cooks a wide range of foods quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: In a frying apparatus, in particular for grilling, an electric heating device with a contact frying surface is positioned in a mainly box-shaped cabinet with an up-turned opening that may be closed at a distance above the contact frying surface by a preferably transparent cover plate. Structure is provided in connection with the cabinet for conditioning the atmosphere above the contact frying surface at a temperature and air humidity suitable for a specific frying operation, together with an air exhaust for the removal of vapor, fatty particles, smoke and smell from the atmosphere. An air flow of a specific quantity and at controlled temperature and passing substantially horizontally is provided across the contact frying surface towards the air exhaust positioned at one lateral wall of the cabinet, a preferably catalytic filtering device being provided in association with the air exhaust.

Abstract: A heating unit combining a block of thermal and electrical insulating material and a pair of electrical resistance elements in which the block contains a mass of ceramic fibers bound together and has an elongated slot with confronting walls rising to the surface of the block from opposite sides of a floor, and the resistance elements are in the form of thin members constructed of continuous resistance wires which are provided with opposite bends to form a serpentine shape, the bends being embedded in the opposite walls of the block to secure the electrical resistance elements on the block adjacent to the floor of the slot.

Abstract: An electrically-heated deck type baker's oven where the electric heating elements, which are U-shaped in plan view, are supported by and slidable through metal chairs in rectangular metal tubes forming a series of lower and upper passages lining the top and bottom of the oven compartment.

Abstract: Equipment for holding or staging a bicompartmented sandwich package is disclosed. The equipment comprises supporting structure for supporting several packages, and heating elements for applying heat to only a part of the package. The support includes an uninterrupted floor supporting the warmed or hot compartment of the package, and shelving structure for supporting the unwarmed or cool package compartment. Heaters are disposed above and below the hot compartment. The support structure is arranged to retain the heat around the warmed or hot compartment. One embodiment, the floor structure is inclined so as to urge packages in the structure to slide downwardly to a pre-determined pick-up point.

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

Abstract: A cooking appliance comprising a heating chamber with a window provided on one side. At least one surface of the window is coated with a film of a reflecting metal oxide, such as indium oxide, to such a thickness that food in the heating chamber can be seen through the window.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new type of electric kiln suitable for the firing of pottery in small batches as is customarily carried out by hobbyists. In its preferred form the invention comprises an upright cylindrical wall of ceramic fibre thermal insulation mounted on a thermally insulating base and fitted with a lid of similar insulating material. Located within the cylindrical wall is a heating element which is a single multiturn helix of resistance wire of helix diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall. The diameter of the resistance wire may be substantially greater (and the electrical resistance less) than is normally used in electric kilns of similar size thus permitting a greater tolerance to corrosion.The heating element is carried in a set of equispaced ceramic pillars which permit changes in the diameter of the helix while maintaining the separation of the turns of the helix.

Abstract: Mounting devices are provided for mounting the end portions of a replaceable infrared lamp on the sidewalls of heating chamber formed of a compressed insulation material with sheet metal covers on the outer surface thereof. Each mounting device comprises a ceramic holder having a hollow cylindrical body with a shoulder on the outer end thereof and a bottom wall on the inner end thereof. The bottom wall has a concentric circular opening with diametrically disposed notches. One of the ceramic holders is positioned in each of a pair of opposing holes in the sidewalls with its shoulder secured to the sheet metal cover by a sealant. The lamp is held with its end portions extending through the circular openings in the bottom walls of the ceramic holders so that the metal terminals of the lamp protrude outside the sidewalls.

Abstract: A toaster-oven appliance has a control circuit which enables a user to program the operation of the appliance through a keyboard with audible feedback and which includes functional keys for selecting one mode of operation from available BAKE, BROIL, SLOW COOK, TIMER and TOAST modes, and numerical keys for entering a temperature, time interval and toast color. The BAKE and BROIL functions may be used with the TIMER function to provide TIME-BAKE and TIME-BROIL functions. An interactive digital display is provided to display a user selected function, temperature, time interval, or an error indication in the event that an impermissible entry is made. In the presently preferred embodiment that is described, the control circuit includes microprocessor-based programmable digital logic. The microprocessor operates under the direction of a master program.

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

Abstract: A method for differential thermal analysis and a furnace which is suitable for analytical measurements is heated by radiation. For this purpose, a radiation source whose radiation is absorbed by the furnace wall is arranged near to the furnace. The furnace is preferably formed as a hollow cylinder which surrounds the radiation source. An incandescent coil may, for example, be used as the radiation source.

Abstract: A furnace which is suitable for analytical measurements is heated by radiation. For this purpose, a radiation source whose radiation is absorbed by the furnace wall is arranged near to the furnace. The furnace is preferably formed as a hollow cylinder which surrounds the radiation source. An incandescent coil may, for example be used as the radiation source.

Abstract: An electric radial blade type heating element is provided for industrial furnaces or other heated devices in which the electrical conductors are relatively thin flat strips or blades, rectangular in cross section and free floating relative to the insulating support structure of the element. The conductors are arrayed in a radially diverging relationship to maximize the exposure of the radiating surfaces which minimizes the pocketing of released heat and overheating of the elements. Means are provided to pass a fluid over the conductors when the element is mounted within a radiant tube to reduce oxidation of the element and the interior surface of the radiant tube. The heating element support structure is not dependent on the conductors for strength or rigidity, thereby rendering the element equally suitable for vertical as well as horizontal installation. The element may be used to directly heat a furnace, or may be mounted in a radiant tube to heat the radiant tube.

Abstract: The specification discloses a self-cleaning oven including an outer housing with an oven liner disposed within the housing in a spaced-apart relationship forming cavities between the housing and liner walls. A duct system is provided for directing air from the vicinity of the lower front and rear of the oven to the cavity between the top walls of the housing and liner. A heating element is mounted in a proximate relationship to a smoke eliminator panel mounted on the top liner wall. Smoke and gases emanating from the oven pass through apertures formed in the smoke eliminator panel to a vent tube. The vent tube discharges gases from the smoke eliminator panel into a discharge duct above the oven liner. A diluter tube encompassing the vent tube allows air to pass from the cavity between the top walls of the oven liner and the housing into the discharge duct. The air dilutes the smoke and gases from the oven liner, and the diluted smoke and gases are then exhausted from apertures in the front of the oven.

Abstract: A slot furnace for heating steel to forging temperatures includes a housing lined with refractory material and a refractory hearth all defining a chamber in the housing for receiving and heating forging stock. A slot is located at the front of the housing adjacent the hearth in communication with the chamber through which forging stock is inserted and withdrawn. Electrical heating elements are provided at either side of the chamber inwardly of the side walls of the chamber. The ceiling that defines the top of the chamber protrudes inwardly between the elements and above the slot. Means are provided for connecting the heating elements to an electrical power source. A temperature sensor is provided in the chamber adjacent the hearth and means connected to the sensor are provided for controlling the electrical power applied to the elements in response to the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a domestic cooking range of the ventilated type having surface elements and an underlying oven characterized by an extension of the ventilating fan motor shaft carrying an auxiliary fan disposed within the oven which provides forced circulation of air in the oven. The oven may thus be selectively operated in the conventional radiant heating mode or in the forced circulation or "convected" mode depending upon whether the ventilating fan motor is in operation. The oven can be held at an elevated temperature (of the order of 550.degree. F) for a time interval to accelerate catalytic self-cleaning (catalyst added to the porcelain frit covering the oven surface) because of air circulation within the oven door and passages adjacent the door, this cooling air flow being induced by operation of the ventilating fan.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oven which may or may not be incorporated in a domestic cooking range. The oven is characterized by the presence of a fan inset in one side wall of the oven. A plate having upper and lower slots approximately aligned with the conventionally located upper and lower oven heating elements overlies the fan. The slots or openings in the plate provide discharge apertures for the fan so that the air streams from the fan sweep past the heating elements to provide forced circulation or "convected" mode operation. Since the oven heating elements are conventionally located, the oven may be operated in the conventional, radiant mode by halting operation of the fan. The oven is thus easily convertible to either radiant or convection mode of operation.

Abstract: The disclosed cooking device has a cooking cavity with an access opening and a door for closing same, and has a rack in the cavity to support the food to be cooked. The device has electric heating elements in the cavity, and control means that energize the heating elements approximately 10 to 45% of potential high level heat outputs thereof. The total power input of the low level energized heating elements is in the range of 15 to 30% maximum and thus provides heating of air in the cavity only to within the range of 220.degree. to 300.degree. F maximum, without food load, and at a low rate so that the cavity air temperature generally will only exceed the temperature of the food by 20.degree. to 50.degree. F aproximately during a sustained cooking cycle. This low temperature method of cooking does not require personal tending to the food and minimizes the chances of burning the food.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique manually operable lever, latch lever, and catch lever are provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster main switch and an oven toaster timer. The manually operable lever is provided with a lug for actuating the latch lever to release the catch lever to stop the operation of the toast timer and open the main switch without opening the oven toaster door. The manually operable lever is also provided with a pin which is uniquely positioned with respect to the catch lever for both operating the catch lever to start operation of the toast timer and being actuated by the catch lever at the end of a toasting cycle for moving the manually operable lever to open the main switch.

Abstract: Electric commercial cooking apparatus having a cylindrical body with dome top and bottom and a vertically hinged door. The apparatus has a thermostat controlled electrical heating element affixed to the bottom dome. The heating element serves as a heat supply and to generate smoke from combustible material such as hickory chips. The heating element and tray are located beneath a water pan and a plurality of grids supported by brackets located on the interior of the body adjacent the door and opposite the door. The grids and water pan may be removed by tilting each sideways so that they may pass through the door opening for easy maintenance.