Abstract: A furnace for reflowing solder on a wafer having a heating chamber with an entrance, an exit, and top, bottom, side, and end walls formed of sheets of porous insulation. The furnace has a first belt, with first and second ends, extending from a loading position into the heating chamber. The furnace has a second belt, with first and second ends; the first end of the second belt is coupled to the second end of the first belt, the second belt extending through the heating chamber. The furnace has a third belt with first and second ends; the first end of the third belt is coupled to the second end of the second belt, the third belt extending through the exit of the heating chamber to an unloading position. The heating chamber also has infrared lamps positioned below the second belt, the infrared lamps heat the second belt, such that the second belt heats the wafer situated on the second belt.

Abstract: A toaster having an electronic circuit including a chip-on-board ASIC that controls the operation of toaster heating elements and an electromagnet to which relatively high voltage is applied to hold an armature carried by a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly. The armature is freely suspended from a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly and accurately guided onto the electromagnet when the bread carriage is lowered. The toaster has a one-piece main frame that includes both a base frame plate and a rear frame plate. Several economies are obtained by virtue the construction of the toaster. A one-piece control support member is mounted on the base frame plate that supports both mechanical and electronic assemblies for controlling the operation of the toaster in predetermined relative positions.

Abstract: A furnace for reflowing solder on a wafer having a heating chamber with an entrance, an exit, and top, bottom, side, and end walls formed of sheets of porous insulation. The furnace has a first belt extending from a loading position into and through. the heating chamber. The furnace has a second belt coupled to the first belt, the second belt extending through the exit of the heating chamber to an unloading position. The heating chamber also has infrared lamps positioned below the first belt, the infrared lamps heat the first belt, such that the first belt heats the wafer situated on the first belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate comprises a susceptor for supporting the substrate, an upper heat source spaced above the susceptor, a lower heat source spaced below the susceptor, and a controller. The controller provides power to the heat sources at a selected ratio between the sources. The controller is configured to vary the ratio during a high temperature processing cycle of a substrate to thereby vary the ratio of the heat provided by the heat sources during the cycle.

Abstract: An electric toaster with a safety shut-off mechanism includes a carriage bracket with a user-manipulated knob that is movable between an upper rest position and a lower actuation position. A food support member is supported by the carriage bracket between the upper rest position and a lower toasting position. An electromagnet is connected to one of the chassis and the carriage bracket for holding the carriage bracket in the actuation position when the electromagnet is energized. A switch is movable to a closed position upon downward movement of the carriage bracket to the actuation position to energize the electromagnet and heating elements associated with the toaster. The carriage bracket is upwardly movable upon deenergization of the electromagnet to open the switch between the actuation position and the lower toasting position to deenergize the heating elements.

Abstract: A toaster mechanism includes a base, a carriage movable relative to the base and including a hook and a switch bar, a first switch associated with heating elements of the toaster and supported by the base and being activated by the switch bar, a timer-deactivated electromagnet supported by the base, a catch block movably supported by the base and including a bearing surface against which the hook can bear to move the block, a catch surface to catch the hook, a ferrous part interacting with the electromagnet, and an activating surface. A second switch is associated with the electromagnet and is in series electrically with the first switch. The first switch receives electric current only when the second switch is closed by the activating surface of the catch block. This ensures that toast does not burn if it is jammed in the toaster after a specified toasting time.

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 domestic oven is controlled for use in proofing and cooking bread. In accordance with the invention, at least one heating element of the oven is first energized to bring the oven to a first high temperature representing an overshoot temperature which allows activation of yeast inside dough. Once the first high temperature is reached, the temperature is allowed to drop to a second level which is maintained by cycling the heating element(s) on and off to allow proofing of the bread. A fan is also provided to circulate air in the oven when a rapid proofing sequence is selected.

Abstract: An oven includes an internal preparation chamber defining a cavity that receives and prepares food product therein. The oven further includes a first chef-side door that provides access to the cavity by the chef for the placement of food product to be prepared, and a second server-side door providing access to the chamber by the serving staff to remove the prepared food product.

Abstract: A vertical toaster comprising a housing, heating elements, a food support and a drive. The heating elements are connected to the housing and comprise at least one calrod. The calrod comprises an electric wire surrounded by heat conductive electrical insulation and a metal cover. The food support is movably mounted to the housing for up and down motion. The drive is for moving the food support relative to the housing. The drive comprises a motor and a linkage between the motor and the food support for moving the food support both down and up such that food on the food support passes by the calrod. The calrod prevents an electrical shock to a user if the user accidentally contacts the calrod with an electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven having a catalytic composition positioned in the oven cavity or exhaust gas passage in order to complete the combustion and/or the oxidation of gases produced by a process carried out inside the oven. The catalytic composition is supported by a ceramic coating on a metal wire. The metal wire is electrically connected to a control system of the oven for controlling the cooking and/or pyrolytic cleaning process. The catalytic composition carried on the metal wire may be part of a net-shaped catalytic element.

Abstract: A baking oven defines a cooking space, in which a tubular, multiply bent radiant heating element is secured in a horizontally extending heating element plane. A temperature sensor for regulating the temperature of the cooking space is disposed substantially in the heating element plane and has a sensor tube that is disposed in close proximity to the radiant heating element for thermal coupling to the heating element. A temperature sensor with flexible leads is secured in the sensor tube for obtaining good coupling of the temperature sensor to the radiant heating element. The sensor tube has at least one curved portion, whereby the sensor tube curves around portions of the heating element. The heating element plane defines a measuring area lying in the heating element plane, and the temperature sensor is disposed approximately at a center of gravity of the measuring area and is substantially surrounded by the heating element.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater, and an enunciating device for displaying temperature conditions within the container. The container includes a plurality of walls forming an interior area and an opening, wherein the opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article and the heater from outside the container to within the interior area of the container. The container includes a flap for selectively covering and uncovering the opening to allow access to the interior area of the container. The heater is constructed and arranged for placement within the interior area of the container and is provided for heating the article. The enunciating device includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature within the container, a temperature display for displaying temperature conditions within the container, and a power source for operating the enunciating device. A method for delivering food and an enunciating device are provided.

Abstract: A toaster having an electronic circuit including a chip-on-board ASIC that controls the operation of toaster heating elements and an electromagnet to which relatively high voltage is applied to hold an armature carried by a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly. The armature is freely suspended from a bread carriage and toaster-operating assembly and accurately guided onto the electromagnet when the bread carriage is lowered. The toaster has a one-piece main frame that includes both a base frame plate and a rear frame plate. Several economies are obtained by virtue the construction of the toaster. A one-piece control support member is mounted on the base frame plate that supports both mechanical and electronic assemblies for controlling the operation of the toaster in predetermined relative positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating microwave oven using a deterministic chaotic signal. The microwave oven includes a heating compartment, a magnetron for generating microwaves, a waveguide for directing the microwaves into the heating compartment and a chaotic signal generator for driving the magnetron. The characteristics of the chaotic signal are adjusted to tend to vary the output energy of the magnetron and increase the uniformity of the microwaves in the heating compartment.

Abstract: A method for controlling the duration of a self-cleaning operation in an oven responsive to the oven usage. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber, an exhaust outlet from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere, and a heat control device for controlling the heating device for baking, broiling and self-cleaning cycles. The method of controlling the duration includes the steps of maintaining a count at the heat control device of the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle, accepting an input at the heat control device to begin a self-cleaning operation, and controlling the heating device to heat the oven cavity for a time period based upon the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle.

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: 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. In accordance with the preferred self-cleaning method, an initial, catalyst pre-heat stage is followed by a moderately high-temperature presoak stage. For the main cleaning operation, a high temperature stage is initiated in combination with a high convection air flow to establish high oven surface temperatures in a minimal time frame. This timed stage is followed by a cool down period wherein both the temperature and convection speed is reduced. Thereafter, an intermediate temperature heating stage with medium convective air flow followed by a cooling stage are provided for preset time periods. This combination of intermediate temperature heating and subsequent cooling stages is repeated until the total self-cleaning time is completed.

Abstract: A food warmer having closed loop heating control has a temperature sensor in a warming zone of the food warmer. The temperature sensor has a rate of heat absorption and a rate of heat loss substantially the same as a food product contained in the warming zone. First and second heat sources provide heat to the warming zone. The heat required to maintain the warming zone at a desired temperature requires heat from both the first and second heat sources. The first heat source is operated continuously while the second heat source is activated and deactivated in closed loop fashion based on input from the temperature sensor to maintain a desired set point temperature of the warming zone.

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: An oven capable of being operated in a self-cleaning cycle wherein the time period of the self clean cycle is responsive to the amount of soil accumulation in the oven. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber and an exhaust flue extending from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere. A heat control device is provided for controlling the operation of the heating device and an input device is used for signaling the heat control device to initiate the self-cleaning cycle. A gas sensor communicates with the exhaust flue for measuring a concentration of a gas component produced from combustion of food soils within the cooking chamber. The gas sensor has a signal output indicative of the measured concentration of the gas component during the self-cleaning cycle. The heat control device receives successive gas concentration signals from the gas sensor and calculates a gas concentration versus time curve.

Abstract: A rapid preheat control system, provided in a cooking appliance having a oven cavity, bake and broil elements for heating the oven cavity and a fan for developing an air flow current within the oven cavity, functions to actuate the broil element a higher percentage of time than the bake element during a preheat operation in order to decrease the required time to preheat the oven cavity for a baking operation, while specifically avoiding the need to increase the overall power rating of the cooking appliance. In one preferred embodiment, 100% of the heat emanates from the broil element, while the convection fan is operated either continuously or in a pulsating manner to quickly establish an even heat distribution in the oven cavity. In other embodiments, a portion of the preheat can come from the bake element, but simply in a much lower percentage than the broil element.

Abstract: An oven particularly suitable for dental materials is provided with a firing plate on which a calibration apparatus can be removably located. The calibration apparatus includes a meltable element whose melting is detectable by a detecting device. The calibration apparatus is additionally provided with a control device. The firing plate includes a device for receiving therein the calibration apparatus including a non-electrically conducting support for supporting two electrically conducting contact posts of the calibration apparatus.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food support member includes at least one switch that is movable between a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with the food support member engages the first locking member during a toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and release the food support member.

Abstract: An oven capable of being operated in a self-cleaning cycle wherein the time period of the self clean cycle is responsive to the amount of soil accumulation in the oven. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber and an exhaust flue extending from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere. A heat control device is provided for controlling the operation of the heating device and an input device is used for signaling the heat control device to initiate the self-cleaning cycle. A gas sensor communicates with the exhaust flue for measuring a concentration of a gas component produced from combustion of food soils within the cooking chamber. The gas sensor has a signal output indicative of the measured concentration of the gas component during the self-cleaning cycle. The heat control device receives successive gas concentration signals from the gas sensor and calculates a gas concentration versus time curve.

Abstract: A plasma processing system that includes a temperature management system and method that can achieve very accurate temperature control over a plasma processing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the temperature management system and method operate to achieve tight temperature control over surfaces of the plasma processing apparatus which interact with the plasma during fabrication of semiconductor devices. The tight temperature control offered by the invention can be implemented with combination heating and cooling blocks such that both heating and cooling can be provided from the same thermal interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a self-cleaning oven in which a gas sensor, such as for measuring concentrations of CO gas, is located remote from, yet in gas communication with, an exhaust flue of the oven. The gas sensor is located at the end of an outlet tube which extends from the exhaust flue. A sample gas flow is provided to the gas sensor through the outlet tube to isolate the sensor from the heat of the oven and a filter device is located in the outlet tube for filtering the sample gas flow. A valve may be provided at the inlet to the outlet tube. The rate of change (slope) of successive readings of gas concentrations may be used to determine when the combustion of food material is complete, in order to terminate a self-cleaning cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling operation of an oven by differentiating between normal temperature cycling and an abnormal event in which the temperature drifts substantially below the lower band limit are described. Such differentiation enables use of differentiated modes to bring the oven temperature back to within a tolerance band or range. Particularly, and in connection with an oven including a microcomputer, a relatively low heat rate mode is used to maintain the oven temperature within the tolerance band or range, and a relatively high heat rate mode is utilized to return the oven temperature back to within the tolerance band or range quickly if the temperature drops below a lower set limit indicative of the occurrence of a drift event. The microcomputer is programmed so that after completion of preheating, the oven temperature is controlled by the user set temperature and offsets. Power cycling of the bake and broil heaters is controlled according to timing defined by prestored parameters.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has:

Abstract: A thermal compensation system for an oven including at least one visible light cooking element includes a thermistor in thermal communication with an oven cavity, and a microcomputer coupled to the thermistor and operatively connected to the cooking element from control thereof. When the oven cavity temperature exceeds a minimum threshold prior to cooking operation, the microcomputer reduces a power level of the cooking unit to compensate for latent heat in the oven cavity and avoid overcooking the food.

Abstract: The device for controlling cooking areas of glass-ceramic cooking surfaces includes a combined device or conductor track structure consisting of a temperature measurement device for measuring cooking area temperatures and a cooking utensil detection device for detecting the presence of cooking utensils on the cooking areas. The temperature measurement device includes two conductor tracks, a conductor track arranged in the glass-ceramic surface in an edge region of the cooking area and another conductor track, in a central region. The temperature measurement device is part of the cooking utensil device so that fewer cooking area leads are required than in the prior art. The temperature of the glass-ceramic cooking surface located between the at least two conductor tracks is measured.

Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven having a catalytic composition positioned in the oven cavity or exhaust gas passage in order to complete the combustion and/or the oxidation of gases produced by a process carried out inside the oven. The catalytic composition is supported by a ceramic coating on a metal wire. The metal wire is electrically connected to a control system of the oven for controlling the cooking and/or pyrolytic cleaning process. The catalytic composition carried on the metal wire may be part of a net-shaped catalytic element.

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: 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 furnace for reflowing solder on a wafer having a heating chamber with an entrance, an exit, and top, bottom, side, and end walls formed of sheets of porous insulation. The furnace has a first belt extending from a loading position into and through the heating chamber. The furnace has a second belt coupled to the first belt, the second belt extending through the exit of the heating chamber to an unloading position. The heating chamber also has infrared lamps positioned below the first belt, the infrared lamps heat the first belt, such that the first belt heats the wafer situated on the first belt.

Abstract: A substrate to be processed on which a thin film is formed is supported by a support member. The substrate to be processed is heated by a heating section. The surface temperature is measured by a radiation thermometer, and the heating temperature of the heating section is controlled by a control section, in response to the temperature measured by the radiation thermometer. Further, a blackbody is provided at a position optically symmetrical to the radiation thermometer with respect to the surface of the thin film. The blackbody is set at a constant temperature. The blackbody cuts stray light (noise light) which enters into the radiation thermometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the production of electrically conductive passages in semiconductor components preferably positioned on a semiconductor, by means of thermo-migration through the production of a temperature gradient between two opposing outer surfaces of the semiconductor components and application of a conductive doping substance to a cooler outer surface. One outer surface of the semiconductor is positioned on a cooled sample take-up and the opposing outer surface is exposed to heat radiation, which can be controlled both with regard to its total efficiency and its efficiency distribution over the surface of the semiconductor. The total efficiency and/or the efficiency distribution of the heat radiation is adjusted depending upon the temperature measured on at least one temperature measurement point on the semiconductor and/or a semiconductor component.

Abstract: A baking oven defines a cooking space, in which a tubular, multiply bent radiant heating element is secured in a horizontally extending heating element plane. A temperature sensor for regulating the temperature of the cooking space is disposed substantially in the heating element plane and has a sensor tube that is disposed in close proximity to the radiant heating element for thermal coupling to the heating element. A temperature sensor with flexible leads is secured in the sensor tube for obtaining good coupling of the temperature sensor to the radiant heating element. The sensor tube has at least one curved portion, whereby the sensor tube curves around portions of the heating element. The heating element plane defines a measuring area lying in the heating element plane, and the temperature sensor is disposed approximately at a center of gravity of the measuring area and is substantially surrounded by the heating element.

Abstract: A heater controller uses measured power source voltage and either stored data that characterizes an electric resistance heater or current measurements to compute the fraction of time that the heater should be connected to the power source, thereby compensating the electric resistance heater against variations in the AC line voltage such that the heater power remains constant with line voltage variations, even for different nominal line voltages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a self cleaning oven wherein the monitoring of exothermic chemical reactions within a catalyst can be used to determine when the combustion of food material is complete, in order to terminate a self cleaning cycle. During a self clean cycle, an oven cavity is heated to and maintained at an oven clean temperature suitable for oven cleaning. A catalyst is disposed within an exhaust passage of an oven cavity and the amount of heat generated within the catalyst is sensed. The self clean cycle is terminated a predetermined time after heat generation within the catalyst ceases.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processing system for large area substrates, such as glass panels for flat panel displays, includes a processing chamber, a transport assembly for transporting a substrate through the processing chamber, and a heating assembly for heating the substrate. The heating assembly includes a bank of elongated heating elements disposed in the processing chamber. The heating elements have longitudinal axes aligned with the substrate transport direction. In one embodiment, heating elements on one side of the substrate have longitudinal axes aligned perpendicular to the substrate transport direction and heating elements on the opposite side of the substrate have longitudinal axes aligned parallel to the substrate transport direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a control (15) for an electrical appliance (11) with at least one electrical operating device (13) contained in the appliance (11), the control (15) containing at least one power switching device (17). According to the invention the control (15) has a control unit (21) separate from the electrical appliance (11) and which is connected to the latter in wireless, signal-transmitting manner and essentially contains the control and regulating part for the electrical appliance. In this way an operating and control unit (21) separate or separable from the electrical appliance (11) is obtained and which when necessary can be easily inter-changed as a separate part. A basic version of an electrical appliance (11) can be upgraded with different control units (21) to a final appliance with differing operational scope. Preferably the electrical appliance is an electric cooker, particularly a hob.

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 cooking appliance includes an oven cavity having an associated access door provided with a cavity viewing window, a control panel for setting both a desired cooking function and a heat source operating time period, and a light for illuminating the oven cavity of the appliance. The light is controlled so as to be automatically activated prior to the expiration of the set time period for the selected cooking operation in order to bring the attention of the user to viewing the progress of the cooking operation without unnecessarily opening the oven cavity door. If, after viewing the food being cooked, it is determined that further cooking time is warranted, then the process of adding additional cooking time will function to re-set the automatic light activating feature of the invention.

Abstract: A food preparation system, a controller, a computer readable memory, and a method for providing precise on-line control of a heat transfer process on a food item is disclosed. The food preparation system comprises a heating and/or cooling chamber, a sensor, and a controller. The chamber is configured to transfer heat to or from the food item during a phase of the heat transfer process. The sensor is configured to sense an actual temperature in the heating and/or cooling chamber at each real time epoch of the phase. The controller is configured to control the heating and/or cooling chamber according to a scheduled time-temperature profile over the phase. It is also configured to, at each real time epoch of the phase, simulate an internal temperature in the food item based on the sensed actual temperature at that real time epoch. It is further configured to terminate the phase when the simulated internal temperature at a particular real time epoch reaches a target internal temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the duration of heating and/or cooking an undetermined amount Z of a given food product (5) placed in an oven chamber (1) comprising a heat source (2) and a sensor (4) for picking up a signal characteristic of the heating and/or cooking state of the food product. The invention is characterised in that it consists, after (A) supplying the heat source (2) at an initial moment t.sub.0 so that it delivers a predetermined constant power P.sub.0, in (B) measuring said characteristic signal at several successive moments over a measuring interval from said initial moment t.sub.0 to a final prefixed moment t.sub.c ; in (C) computing over this measuring interval the value S.sub.Zc of the integral of the characteristic signal measurements of taken in absolute value; in (D) deducing the residual time t.sub.r for heating and/or cooking for said undetermined amount Z of food product according to a predetermined polynomial equation linking the residual time t.sub.

Abstract: A temperature control method and controller for an oven having a heater, a temperature sensor, a fan, a door, a cooking compartment and on oven on/off switch. The method includes a heat up procedure that involves running two or more heat up cycles to stabilize the cooking compartment to a cook temperature. The method also includes a time out procedure that reduces the cooking compartment temperature to a standby temperature in the event a time out period expires between the end of one cooking procedure and the start of the next cooking procedure. The method also includes an automatic cooling procedure that automatically cools the cooking compartment to a safe temperature whenever the oven on/off switch is switched from on to off.

Abstract: An oven comprises a cooking chamber, first and second energy sources, a cooling fan, and a controller. The first energy source provides radiation heating in the cooking chamber, and the first energy source has a low mass for rapid heating. The second energy source provides convection heating in the cooking chamber, and the second energy source has a high mass heating element and a convection fan for moving air through the cooking chamber during convection heating. The cooling fan moves cooling air over the first energy source. The controller energizes the first and second energy sources during at least initial convection heating so that the first energy source rapidly heats the cooking chamber in order to facilitate the initial convection heating and to eliminate the need to pre-heat the cooking chamber.

Abstract: An electric toaster comprising a heating element; and a combined user actuation and thermostat switch assembly connected to the heating element. The switch assembly comprises a thermostat having a bi-metal electrical contact blade and a snap-acting electrical contact blade, and a user actuated member for moving the snap-acting blade towards the bi-metal blade. The switch assembly provides an electrical path between the heating element and an electrical power supply cord without an additional separate user actuated power switch along the path.

Abstract: A lightwave oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visible, and infra-red spectral ranges uses one or more quartz halogen tungsten lamps or quartz arc bulbs positioned above and below the food item and delivers light energy in select ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum during select portions of the cooking cycle.