Abstract: An apparatus includes a lower vessel and an upper vessel mounted atop the lower vessel. The lower vessel, which can be disposed on the heated surface of a stove, includes a first top wall having apertures therethrough, and defines a first volume in the lower vessel. The upper vessel includes a second top wall free of apertures, and defines a second volume in the upper vessel. Food items to be cooked are placed on the first top wall so that the food item resides in the second volume. Heat from the heated surface rises into the first volume, through the apertures and into the second volume, to cook the food item therein. Means are provided for maintaining the vertical stability of the vessels when the vessels are stacked.

Abstract: A surgical drape for a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system may include a body and an attachment device feature. The body may be sized and shaped to cover at least a portion of an arm or main column of the patient side cart. The attachment device feature may be connected to the body. The attachment device feature may be configured to install the surgical drape to the arm or main column so as to cover at least a portion of the arm or main column with the surgical drape. The attachment device feature may be detectable by a sensor in an installed position of the surgical drape on the arm or main column. At least one of the main column and the arm may include a sensor to detect an attachment device feature of a surgical drape.

Abstract: A temperature-control device for receiving a reaction vessel having a heat-insulated interior space and which is covered by a lid. The reaction vessel has a hollow body and a cap, this hollow body being closed on one side by a base. The base contacts a heatable heating block in order to heat a sample located in the reaction vessel. The hollow body is surrounded by a heatable heating body which communicates with the lid via a heat-conducting contact region so that the heating body heats the hollow body directly and heats the cap indirectly via the lid.

Abstract: A portable electric heating apparatus for warming a liquid and maintaining the elevated temperature of a liquid held inside a hot beverage container. The housing (23) of the apparatus may be inserted within the perimeter of a bottom rim of the beverage container so that a heating plate (22) releasably contacts a bottom wall of the container. A controller (25) enclosed in the housing includes electrical circuitry for communicating with a supply of electric power and for energizing a heating element (31). In various embodiments, electric power may be provided from wall outlets, USB ports, or batteries, which may be disposable or rechargeable. The heating element is configured to transfer heat to the plate, which warms the liquid through the bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is an article or device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support having a plurality of folds so as to form the flexible polymeric support into a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions whose respective upper edges can be arranged and fixed into two or more configurations to accommodate at least two respective spherical section contours of respective different sizes. The present invention facilitates the heating of rounded, regularly-shaped or irregularly-shaped vessels or objects by presenting a flexible polymeric support surface. The flexible polymeric support surface is sufficiently malleable so as to be adapted for heating such objects or containers, and may be incorporated into an arrangement or system for heating such a container or object, and/or for stirring its contents, while being supported by the article or device of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of molding soap for forming decorative shapes includes a housing that has a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. A heating unit is mounted in the housing. When turned on the heating unit heats the top surface. A plurality of molds, each has a different shape. One of the molds is selected to define a selected mold. The selected mold is positioned on the top surface such that the selected mold is in thermal communication with the heating unit. A bar soap is positioned in the selected mold. The heating unit is turned on such that the bar soap melts to define fluid soap. The heating unit is turned off to allow the fluid soap to solidify to define a molded soap. The molded soap is removed from the selected mold.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is a kettle supported by a base, with a burner mounted to the base and positioned below the bottom of the kettle. The kettle generally has a rounded bottom and straight sidewalls, although various curved portions of the kettle sidewalls are possible including a purely semispherical section. The kettle is provided with a U-shaped handle on each side which provides a gripping handle and also provides a means of rotating the kettle. The stand includes two grooves in a side portion, and the kettle can be tipped to one side and rotated to pour out the contents of the kettle, with the groove providing stability while the kettle is rotated to one side. The kettle rotates at a point which is not the center point of the kettle.

Abstract: A popcorn popping assembly includes a popcorn popping kettle having a side wall extending from a bottom wall. The assembly includes a plurality of retainers. Each of the retainers includes a bottom wall extending between a pair of side walls. The side walls and the bottom wall define a cavity, and an aperture is formed in the bottom wall and defines an essentially closed shaped periphery. The assembly includes a plurality of studs, each configured to be inserted through a respective aperture of a respective retainer. A plurality of fasteners are each configured to be received within the cavity of a retainer and couple with a stud to secure the stud to the retainer. A temperature sensor may extend through at least one of the apertures. A stud may be configured to cooperate with the temperature sensor and hold the temperature sensor in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A butter dish having a rotatable lid that opens to an obtuse angle to give wide access to butter stored on a base cover by the lid. The butter dish includes the base, a rear wall defining a rotational axis located above the base and toward the rear of the base and the lid is mounted to the rear wall and rotates between closed and opened positions.

Abstract: A multi-functional electric cooker includes a heating boiler body (1) and a cover (2). The cooker also includes a rice soup collecting container (3) which is mounted between the heating boiler body (1) and the cover (2), a sealing ring (7) which is set between the rice soup collecting container (3) and the heating boiler body (1), and a rice soup sucker (6). An opening of one end of the sucker is located at the bottom of the rice soup collecting container (3) and the height of the opening is adjusted along with the amount of the rice in the heating boiler body. An opening of the other end of the sucker is located in the rice soup collecting container (3).

Abstract: Provided is a heat treatment furnace, which includes a processing vessel configured to accommodate at least one object to be processed, a heat insulating member configured to cover a periphery of the processing vessel, and a heating unit configured to be arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating member. The heat insulating member includes an inner heat insulating member and an outer heat insulating member formed independently of the inner heat insulating member. The outer heat insulating member contains a finely-powdered compressed silica material, and at least an outer surface thereof is covered with an anti-scattering member configured to prevent the finely-powdered compressed silica material from being scattered.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention relates to a device for heating or cooking food or liquids such as soup, water, roast, etc. A downwardly curved visor-like deflector is selectively removably positioned outwardly of the upper end of the radiation disk of an infrared heater so as to extend outwardly therefrom. The deflector has an upwardly presented cooking utensil opening formed therein and a horizontally disposed cooking utensil support secured to the deflector at the inner surface thereof below the cooking utensil opening. The cooking utensil support dwells in a plane below the upper end of the radiation disk whereby infrared rays emitted from the radiation disk will impinge upon the cooking utensil support and a cooking utensil positioned on the cooking utensil support to cook or heat the contents thereof. Other accessories may also be attached to the heater such as a protective grill or a cooking basket.

Abstract: A warmer, for a baby bottle, includes a warming chamber configured to hold the bottle and to place water received in the chamber in contact with the bottle; a heater, in thermal communication with the water, that heats the water to a temperature below its boiling point; and a water disposal system that automatically causes displacement of water relative to the bottle so as to substantially remove water from contacting the bottle, after the bottle has been warmed by the water. Other embodiments of the warmer are provided, along with related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming a container, the apparatus including a holder having an inner wall, an outer wall, and an insulation layer between the inner and outer walls, wherein the inner wall defines a first volume having a size and shape for receiving at least a portion of the container, and wherein the holder defines a second volume. The apparatus can also include a solution and an activation disk positioned within the second volume and in contact with the solution, wherein the solution and activation disk are made from materials such that a force applied to the activation disk causes the solution to undergo a chemical reaction that generates heat for warming the container in the first volume. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a disk actuator for applying the force to the activation disk, and elastic bands to increase thermal contact between the container and the solution.

Abstract: A drape device is provided for use with a thermal treatment system, where the thermal treatment system includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive a basin, a heater to heat items placed within the receptacle and a limit switch that is operable to identify when the basin or other item is placed within the receptacle and to further activate the heater upon identification by the limit switch of the basin or other item being placed within the receptacle. The drape device includes a drape that can be placed within the receptacle to provide a barrier between items placed on the drape and the receptacle. The drape device further includes engaging structure configured to engage the drape and one of the basin and the receptacle. In one embodiment, the engaging structure includes an actuation member that facilitates operation of the limit switch and activation of the heater without the use of the basin.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system for thermally treating objects includes a housing including a top surface, a basin recessed into the top surface and configured to contain a liquid medium, where the liquid medium thermally treats objects placed within the liquid medium, and a ramp structure disposed on the top surface of the housing. The ramp structure is configured to support at least one object such that a first end portion of the object is disposed within the liquid medium while a second end portion of the object is supported by the ramp structure outside of the liquid medium.

Abstract: The fryer (1) for cooking a food product, comprises a main body (2) for housing a tilted container (3) adapted to receive the cooking oil, a tilted basket for containing the food product, positioned in an extractable manner in the container, first (30, 31) and second heating means (49), a selector for selecting a first cooking mode in a first volume of oil with the first heating means or a second cooking mode in a second volume of oil greater than the first volume of oil with the second heating means, and rotation means (17) adapted to operate in rotation the basket (11) or at least a mixing paddle (13) present or positionable inside the basket.

Abstract: A continuous oil fryer used to fry food slices, such as potato chips, having an internal oil stripping capability. The fryer accumulates the steam produced by the frying process in a hood and utilizes such steam, after superheating the steam by passing it through a heat exchanger, to strip oil from product immediately upon removal from the hot oil bath by passing the superheated steam through a product bed while on an output conveyor. The superheated steam removes oil from the product on the output conveyor without increasing the moisture level of the product. The fryer therefore accomplishes the same function as a low-oil stripper without increasing the footprint of the frying unit and with less energy.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved perforated lid (10) for containers for cooking foods, comprising holes (15) for the passage of vapor and gas going upwards and of condensed vapor going downwards and means for cooling and condensing vapor passing through said holes, and means for supporting said means for cooling vapor, wherein said means for cooling vapor are made of a sequence, starting from the container for cooking foods and going upwards, comprised of a perforated lower plate (11), at least one perforated intermediate plate (12) and an upper plate (13) that is not perforated, and said means for supporting said means for cooling vapor are made of a lower spacing element (16), positioned between said lower plate (11) and said intermediate plate (12) and of an upper spacing element (18), positioned between said intermediate plate (12) and said upper plate (13). The invention further concerns a fryer (20) for use with said perforated lid (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing food, particularly in an aircraft, comprising of placing the food in a preparation space of an oven and heating the preparation space, wherein the outer side of the oven is cooled during the preparation. Cooling air can be forced for this purpose along the outer surface of the oven. This cooling air can also be forced through the oven, along the electronics present therein. The invention further relates to an oven, in particular for use in an aircraft, comprising a preparation space and means for heating the preparation space, and means for cooling the outer side of the oven. These cooling means can be adapted to force cooling air along the outer surface of the oven, and can in addition be adapted to force the cooling air through or along an electronics compartment in the oven.

Abstract: Provided is a heat treatment furnace, which includes a processing vessel configured to accommodate at least one object to be processed, a heat insulating member configured to cover a periphery of the processing vessel, and a heating unit configured to be arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating member. The heat insulating member includes an inner heat insulating member and an outer heat insulating member formed independently of the inner heat insulating member. The outer heat insulating member contains a finely-powdered compressed silica material, and at least an outer surface thereof is covered with an anti-scattering member configured to prevent the finely-powdered compressed silica material from being scattered.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.

Abstract: Surgical drapes employed with thermal treatment systems are re-enforced according to the present invention. This protects against punctures and tears when objects are placed in a receptacle formed by a drape within a thermal treatment system basin to contain a sterile medium. In one embodiment, a plate or pad is used to protect the drape. The plate or pad may be formed of rigid or flexible material of various configurations. The plate or pad may be solid or perforated (e.g., with holes, slots, mesh, etc.), and may be loosely placed on or fixedly attached to the drape. The plate or pad may have depending feet or protrusions that support the plate spaced above the drape material. Alternatively, the drape may be utilized without the plate and include a thick intermediate section resistant to puncture that is disposed within the thermal treatment system basin.

Abstract: A continuous oil fryer used to fry food slices, such as potato chips, having an internal oil stripping capability. The fryer accumulates the steam produced by the frying process in a hood and utilizes such steam, after superheating the steam by passing it through a heat exchanger, to strip oil from product immediately upon removal from the hot oil bath by passing the superheated steam through a product bed while on an output conveyor. The superheated steam removes oil from the product on the output conveyor without increasing the moisture level of the product. The fryer therefore accomplishes the same function as a low-oil stripper without increasing the footprint of the frying unit and with less energy.

Abstract: A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable basin is described with emphasis on the properties of the basin interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the basin to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the basin. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device.

Abstract: A warmer, for a baby bottle, includes a warming chamber configured to hold the bottle and to place water received in the chamber in contact with the bottle; a heater, in thermal communication with the water, that heats the water to a temperature below its boiling point; and a water disposal system that automatically causes displacement of water relative to the bottle so as to substantially remove water from contacting the bottle, after the bottle has been warmed by the water. Other embodiments of the warmer are provided, along with related methods.

Abstract: A vessel for preparing heated water or other liquid includes a container, an electric heater and a temperature sensing probe mounted through a wall of the container. The probe includes an efficient heat transferring structure in direct thermal contact with and wet by the liquid. An electrical sensor within the probe is in intimate thermal contact with the transferring structure and has electrical properties directly correlating with the temperature of the transferring structure. The transferring structure is attached to a supporting structure mounted to the wall by an elastomeric efficient thermal insulating material held in compression providing physical support for the probe and sealing the wall from leaking and insuring that the sensor is primarily thermally responsive to the temperature of the transferring surface and to the liquid but is thermally insulated from variations in the temperature of the supporting wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cooking apparatus (1) which includes a base (3) and a receptacle (2) that rests upon the base (3). According to the invention, the apparatus includes a skirt (14) that has a closed side wall (15) surrounding the receptacle (2) and extending vertically from the base (3) up to at least the free top end (16) of the side wall (5) of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A cooking or food warming appliance having a heated heat sink plate situated in a vacuum environment within an outer shell. A food vessel intimately engages the heat sink plate along a food contacting surface thereof by virtue of the vacuum. The vacuum eliminates air gaps between the food contacting surface of the food vessel and the heat sink plate so as to provide instantaneous and uniform heating of the food vessel. The vacuum environment also provides thermal insulation for the heat sink plate whereby heat loss by convection is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for heating the contents of a vessel wherein said vessel has a conducting plate that contacts the interior vessel contents and actuates a thermostat based on the temperature of interior contents.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A series of implementations of open access sleeves for holding one or more closed containers of sterile fluid for use in medical procedures are disclosed. The open access sleeves may be adapted to provide heat to maintain the containers of sterile fluid above the ambient air temperature of the room. The provision of heat may be controlled by a control system. The control system may use a temperature measurement device to obtain a temperature representative of the container of sterile fluid and of the sterile fluid in the container. The access sleeve may be included in a device for maintaining an open volume of sterile fluid within a range of a target temperature to maintain the closed containers of sterile fluid at a temperature near target temperature for open volume of sterile fluid.

Abstract: A vacuum heating device comprises: a pot body having an inner casing and an outer casing; a vacuum space being formed between the inner casing and the outer casing; a heat source installed at a lower outer side of the inner casing; a pot cover installed at a top of the pot body; the pot cover having a vent hole; the pot cover tightly covering the receiving space of the inner casing so as to have a preferred heat preservation effect; and an energy supply device for actuating the heat source to generate heat to heat the inner casing. The energy supply device is a conductor body which is connected to the heat source. Or the energy supply device is an electromagnetic generator installed at a lower side of the pot body.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a support assembly that stabilizes a surgical scope. The support assembly may include a first support that elevates scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin, and a second support that positions the shaft of the scope within the liquid bath, but above the floor and away from the walls of the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, while the remaining scope portions are positioned within the bath so the portions can be thermally treated. The support assembly enables a user to warm selected portions of the scope, while protecting the scope, the basin, and/or a drape lining the basin from damage caused when the scope contacts the basin.

Abstract: An electric field forming apparatus for a fryer includes an electrode which is disposed along an inner wall surface of an oil vat, and a power supply which supplies an alternating current at a frequency higher than a power line frequency to the electrode.

Abstract: In a substrate heating apparatus including a vacuum vessel with an interior separated by a wall body into a first space and a second space, the first space being evacuated to a vacuum by a first exhaust means and accommodating a substrate to be heated, and the second space being evacuated to a vacuum by a second exhaust means and including a heating means for heating the substrate accommodated in the substrate, the time required to evacuate the first space to a vacuum by the first exhaust means is shortened, thus improving the throughput. The wall body has a non-coating surface, which is not coated, on part of a wall body surface which faces the second space. A coating is formed on the remaining portion of the wall body surface.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a mount that selectively rotates an element and a seal that prevents leakage of a liquid therethrough.

Abstract: This disclosure provides examples of innovations for a heating pad to be used with heating removable basins or drapes containing sterile fluid. When used with a sterile basin, it is desirable for the pad to deform to conform to the irregular surface on the bottom of the basin. It is also desirable for the pad to have a low thermal mass so that the pad is more responsive to the control system.

Abstract: A heating arrangement for heating one or more liquid-containing microcavities (102) that are present on a microdevice (101) in which there is a contact surface (Sdev) (108). The arrangement comprises a heating support (104,204) that has: a) a support contact surface (Ssup) (110) which is apposed to Sdev (108), when the microdevice (101) is placed on the heating support (104,204), and b) one or more heating elements (120,220) each of which are in thermal contact with Ssup (110), and also with at least one of said microcavities (102), when the microdevice (101) is placed according to (a) with said microcavities (102) matched to said heating elements (120,220), The characteristic feature of the arrangement is that it comprises a sub pressure system (113-119) that is capable of creating sub pressure between said support (104,204) and said microdevice (101) via the support when the microdevice (101) is placed on the support (104,204).

Abstract: A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable basin is described with emphasis on the properties of the basin interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the basin to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the basin. The interactions between a temperature sensor and a temperature well integrated in the removable basin are disclosed. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device are provided.

Abstract: A drape according to the present invention is constructed of or includes conductive and insulating drape segments and is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into, and conforms to, the basin to form a drape container or receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile medium. The conductive segments provide a signal indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, a drape utilized for a plural basin thermal treatment system may form a drape receptacle within each basin. Each drape receptacle includes conductive and insulating drape segments to detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle. The conductive segments of the drape receptacles provide signals to the system to facilitate control of system operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a liquid is described. The apparatus includes a housing. A liquid reservoir is contained within the housing. A fluid circuit conveys liquid from the reservoir to a dispenser. A thermal energy storage unit is contained within the housing and disposed to be in thermal contact with the fluid circuit. The thermal energy storage unit is constructed and arranged to heat liquid as it passes through the fluid circuit. The thermal energy storage unit can include a phase change material or a combination of a phase change material and a high thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: A slow cooker includes a cooking base having a heating element and an open end. The slow cooker has a first container sized to fit within the open end of the cooking base. The first container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The volume of the first container is sized to accommodate a second container. The second container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The opening of the second container is generally equal in size to the opening of the first container. The first container has a cooking position wherein the first container is inserted in the cooking base. The second container has a cooking position wherein the second container is inserted in the cooking base. The first container and second container have a storage position, wherein the second container is nested within the first container. The slow cooker also includes a lid that is sized to enclose the opening of either of the first and second containers during their respective cooking positions.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus (10) is disclosed which comprises a double-shelled housing (12) with top cover (14), side walls (16) and a front plate (20) which is in the form of an arch to provide a storage space (22) underneath. A food vapours condensation chamber is located between the inner and outer shells of the housing (12) and the outer shells of the housing (12) are exposed to atmosphere so that they cool by radiation and convection. The cooking apparatus (10) further includes a fryer unit (18) which is located within an opening (24) in the front plate (20). The fryer unit (18) comprises a casing and a rotary cylindrical drum (26). The drum is devoid of an axle and is mounted by seals which bear on the periphery the drum. A plurality of parallel diametrically extending passages (30) pass through the drum (26).