Abstract: An electric rice cooker is disclosed which has a cooking pot or kettle for containing rice and water, a removable lid member covering the top of the kettle, an electrical heater provided adjacent to the outside surface of the kettle for heating the kettle and the contents thereof, a thermal insulating frame structure, and a control section which includes a kettle temperature detector and a control circuit for controlling the heater so as to allow the rice to automatically and properly absorb water in accordance with the actual kettle temperature immediately after the cooking operation is started, but before the rice is substantially changed to alpha-starch.

Abstract: A resistance heating element is formed in a spiral pattern to a spherical radius to provide conductive heating for a wok. The resistance heating element is supported by a support which accommodates the spherical surface of the heating element. The heating element can be for either plug-in or permanent installation.

Abstract: An electric rice cooker is disclosed which has a cooking kettle containing rice and water, a thermal insulating frame and an electric heater provided adjacent to the outside surface of the kettle. The electric rice cooker performs auxiliary cooking, such as "twice cooking", for effectively converting beta-starch to alpha-starch after main cooking is completed. The auxiliary cooking operating time is properly determined in accordance with the actual amount to be cooked when every cooking operation is performed. The actual amount to be cooked is detected by a control circuit arranged in a case in accordance with a change in actual kettle temperature measured by a thermistor after a heater is deenergized, that is, in accordance with a peak temperature obtained by "after heat".

Abstract: A spacer for positioning intermediate the bottom of a beverage container and a planar heating surface of an electrically heated hot plate of a coffee maker is formed as a continuous heat conductive wire element positioned to rest immediately above and in contact with the planar surface to support a beverage container and to space said container a small distance above the heat source. The spacer may be fabricated of a stainless steel wire of suitable dimension such as one of approximately 1/16 of an inch in diameter, and may be bent in a form which provides uniform support for a coffee pot over the surface of the hot plate. The spacer is secured in place by means of lateral arms which are attached by means of a hinge to the base of the apparatus so that the spacer can be made to swivel upwardly about the hinge and out of the way to facilitate cleaning or to permit the option of nonuse of the spacer if so desired.

Abstract: An electric heat exchange cooking unit for use, selectively, with any one of a plurality of different cooking receptacles, has a heat exchange member including locking mechanism for mechanically constraining the flat undersurface of the cooking receptacle in intimate face to face contact with the top, flat surface of the heat exchange member upon the selected cooking receptacle being fully locked in place. The heat exchange member is of cast metal having embedded therein a continuous electrical heating element of such configuration as distributes heat substantially uniformly throughout the upper surface of the heat exchange member while at the same time providing a central opening within which is received a remote-indicating temperature sensor for measuring the degree of heat being uniformly applied to the food being cooked in the selected cooking receptacle.

Abstract: A power disconnect assembly for a plug-in electric heating element adapted to support and heat a cooking vessel and its contents. The assembly includes a terminal block with terminals for receiving the plug-in heating element and supplying electrical power thereto. A double pole switch with contacts connected to line voltage and to the terminal block is provided and a solenoid is utilized to open and close the double pole switch. Means are provided to detect the presence and absence of a cooking vessel on the heating element and means cooperating with the cooking vessel detection means to deenergize the solenoid in the event of cooking vessel absence and open the double pole switch thus terminating electrical power to the terminal block.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser in which a sensor provides an output corresponding to the level of the beverage in a storage reservoir from which the beverage is dispensed. In response to user actuation a dispensing valve is enabled for such a time interval, determined in accordance with the output of the sensor, as to compensate for variations in flow rate due to variations in the beverage level in the reservoir. The level sensor output is also used to control a level-indicating display and to disable the reservoir heater when the reservoir is empty. Preferably the sensor is a strain gauge adhered to the surface of a relatively thin resilient beam which supports a portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: Microfiches to be destroyed by heat treatment are placed within a disposable tube fitted with a sealing plug, then baked to a sufficient temperature to cause melting and discarded. The apparatus comprises an electric heating resistor and a tubular heating jacket for receiving the disposable tube, the sealing plug being forcibly engaged in the tube by means of a cap which is screwed down by hand. All negative sheets and documents having a photosensitive surface such as microfiches are destroyed economically without any contaminating waste products.

Abstract: Novel assembly for reheating snails. The assembly comprises at least one snail tray having a plurality of depressions. The depressions are adapted to receive a single snail. The assembly further comprises a heating apparatus comprising a series of depressions corresponding to those of the snail tray on the top surface of the heating apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for disinfecting contact lenses by heating, comprising a reservoir designed for holding a liquid and having a tight lid together with a heating device for heating of liquid therein, wherein the reservoir comprises a raised middle part or bridge for dividing said reservoir into two separate chambers or wells, and having a built-in heating device for direct heating of the liquid in said chambers.

Abstract: Food is prepared by placing selected food items in pre-determined locations on food trays, placing the trays on shelves of a rack in a food and beverage cabinet with the food and beverage cabinet being inserted in a first environmental control unit which circulates chilled air over the trays and then removing the food and beverage cabinet and placing it at a second environmental control unit which additionally heats selected food items.

Abstract: An electric rice cooker with a kettle for containing rice, a heater for heating the kettle, a thermoswitch for deenergizing the heater in response to the temperature of the kettle, a timer for reenergizing the heater for controlling a twice cooking and which is operated for a predetermined time period, including the twice cooking time period, and a display for displaying the operation of the timer during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: An electric rice cooker comprising a heater for heating a kettle and contents thereof, an electric timer which controls the energization and deenergization of the heater in response to the temperature of the kettle and a heat isolator for securing the timer and for preventing heat from being transferred from the heater to the timer.

Abstract: In a kitchen stove, the trim ring is secured against rotation and against upward removal to the top of the stove. The trim ring and the cooking vessel have an inter-engageable bayonet system to removably clamp the cooking vessel over the electric heating element or over the burner of the stove. In this way, heat is not lost around the side of the cooking vessel and, also, children cannot spill the content of the vessel, which results in a safe cooking system. The same anchoring system is also used to removably secure a vessel to a support surface in order to prevent spilling of the contents of the vessel. For instance, in the kitchen and dining room of a ship where the support surface might tilt, and in a chemical laboratory to avoid accidental spilling of dangerous substances.

Abstract: An electric rice cooker comprising a kettle for containing rice, a heater for heating the kettle, a thermoswitch for deenergizing the heater in response to the temperature of the kettle, and a timer which comprises a motor for causing a movement of the timer and three contacts for controlling the energization and the reenergization of the heater during timer action.

Abstract: A Peltier effect thermal control sample containment means for an automatic sample holding apparatus used in conjunction with a liquid chromatograph analysis. The apparatus provides for the cooling or heating of a plurality of liquid chromatography samples and the maintenance of said samples at specific temperatures for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A reservoir for an electric kettle is defined by a dome shaped shell and a planar inner bottom, which are fastened together mechanically having a room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber filler located therebetween to act as a seal. The shell is skirted by an inwardly projecting annular lip and has an inwardly projecting annular shoulder parallel with and spaced from the lip. The inner bottom is bounded by a downwardly extending annular flange, the top edge of which abuts the bead and the bottom edge of which engages the lip. The form of the kettle components permits the interior of the shell to be coated between the lip and shoulder with an annular coating of the silicone rubber whereat the inner bottom is readily snapped into position in the shell during assembly of the kettle.

Abstract: The electric cooking appliance has a casing for receiving a removable vessel in which food to be cooked is placed. An electrical heating element is provided in the casing for heating the vessel. The supply of electrical power to the heating element is controlled by a control device including a supply switch and a manually settable control circuit arranged during the normal cooking phase to intermittently place the supply switch in its conducting state so that power is supplied to the heating element intermittently. Prior to the normal cooking phase, the control circuit maintains the supply switch continuously in its conducting state for an initial period of time which is independent of the manual setting of the control circuit.

Abstract: A cup and base assembly for use in vehicles includes a cup, with a loop handle, and a separate base, circular in plan at its lower edge. A triangulate plate is attached to the bottom of the base. The plate has ears projecting beyond the periphery of the base, and a handle-engaging crook with a stem integral with the plate and a finger extending laterally from the stem and positioned to extend within the loop handle. A sloshing inhibitor has a central imperforate disc of material capable of a permanent set, and, integral with the disc, straps bent upwardly on a radius from the edge of the disc, so that the radius serves to space the disc from the inside surface of the cup. Ears, integral with the straps, are bent outwardly at the upper end of the straps, for engaging the upper lip of the cup.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.

Abstract: A blood sample incubation device to maintain a blood sample or the like at a fixed temperature receives a test tube bearing the sample in a flexible, elastic, eversible finger-like sleeve which surrounds the test tube and grips the exterior surface of the test tube completely about its outer surface. The sleeve is mounted within a well formed in a heater block and the well contains a heat conductive fluid. In operation, the tube or cuvet filled with the sample is inserted into the sleeve which is surrounded by the fluid within the well so that heat may pass from the block through the fluid to the test tube and blood sample. When the test tube is removed, it draws the sleeve with it to cause the sleeve to evert and protrude upwardly from the heater block to a position in which the sleeve is ready to receive the next test tube.

Abstract: The shaver warmer of this invention includes a heat transfer portion which almost closely fits the shaver head of the electric shaver to be warmed. A heat supply portion is directly connected to the heat transfer portion and a temperature control portion controls the heating temperature by detecting the temperature of the heat transfer portion. The shaving head of the electric shaver can thereby be heated to a predetermined temperature in a relatively short time so that advantage may be taken of the relatively large thermal capacity of the shaving head of an electric shaver.

Abstract: A flask heater assembly for spherical bodied, boiling flasks in which a block is hollowed to receive the flask body and a ribbon of electrical resistance heated, flexible metal is folded into an elongated band and bent and fitted into the hollow to conform with the shape of the flask. A reduced voltage current is supplied to the ends of the ribbon to produce a temperature on the order of 400.degree. C., i.e., well below the glow temperature of the metal.

Abstract: A rice cooker having a kettle for containing rice, an inner case surrounding and supporting the kettle, first and second heaters separated from each other and mounted within the inner case and adjacent the outside surface of the kettle for heating the kettle and the contents thereof and first and second switches electrically connected to the heaters to control the energization and deenergization of the heaters so as to heat the kettle by three heating stages to obtain boiled rice of most excellent taste.

Abstract: In an electric rice cooker, an electric heater for heating a kettle containing a quantity of rice and water is firstly energized through a first contact of a switch sensitive to the temperature of the kettle. When cooking operation completes the switch transfers to a second contact to start a timer. After a predetermined time, the timer reenergizes the heater through the second contact for a definite interval.

Abstract: A lens case for use with a dry heat sterilizer unit, or the like, wherein said sterilizer unit includes a substantially flat heated support surface with the lens case supportable thereon in intimate surface-to-surface heat conductive contact. The lens case is substantially flat and includes shallow, cup-like base and cover sections. The lens case base section includes separate, lens supporting arrangements for receiving a pair of lenses, said lens support arrangements being provided in side-by-side relation. The lens case is designed to be positioned on said support surface of said sterilizer unit only in an inverted position, i.e. with the cover engaged with said heated support surface, and said lens support arrangements inverted, which serves to prevent overheating of the lenses. Further, the cover member for the lens support arrangements, include central apertures, which permit the lenses to be engaged during opening of said covers, to preclude said lenses from adhering to said cover members.

Abstract: An improved electric cooking appliance such as a hot plate, range or griddle, particularly for use in a commercial countertop application. This class of appliance has a case supporting an electric heating element and the space between the heating element and the bottom of the case is limited because of the height restrictions of the counter type appliance. The improved appliance has a baffle extending across the entire breadth of the case below the heating element and separating the case into the heating element compartment on the upper side of the baffle and the control compartment located on the lower side. The controls including a switch or the like are located in the lower compartment and thereby are separated from the heating element by this baffle. Both the heating element compartment and the control compartment are provided with openings in the case at opposite sides of the compartment to allow convective airflow cooling of the compartment.

Abstract: A system for automatically purging heating mantles and other apparatus including an enclosed volume capable of low level pressurization. The system comprises a pressure sensor for sensing the fluid pressure within the enclosure, which may be the space between a heating mantle poncho and the enclosed flask, and a fluidic logic circuit which is responsive to a low pressure condition within the enclosure to deactivate the heating element in the mantle. At the same time, the logic circuit causes a predetermined volume of purging gas to flow through the enclosure and, after this has been accomplished, reactivates the heating element and reestablishes the minimum pressure conditions by flowing a small volume of purging gas into the enclosure. The system is particularly intended for use in hazardous locations where explosion-proof electrical equipment enclosures are normally mandatory.

Abstract: An electrically heated humidifying apparatus includes a humidifier element detachably secured to a humidifier heater with the base of the humidifier element in engagement with the electric heating plate of the humidifier heater. The humidifier element is secured to the humidifier heater by an intermediate adaptor having a ring portion with spaced lugs interfitting with correspondingly spaced lugs on the humidifier heater and a horse-shoe shaped portion adapted to slidably receive the humidifier element and engage with an annular shoulder on the humidifier element.

Abstract: A set comprising a pan having a flat bottom and an oblique rim divergently extended from the bottom, and a cookstove having a broad brim, wherein when the pan is placed on the cookstove, a clearance of several millimeters is formed between an outside surface of the oblique rim and an inside end of the broad brim, and a combustion gas flows up through this clearance forming an air curtain thereby protecting the people surrounding this set from the direct smell, and maintaining cooked food temporarily placed on the broad brim at a certain temperature.

Abstract: A coffee or tea pot is placed on a base plate of the coffee/tea maker. A boiler zone which includes a boiler vessel is located laterally adjacent the pot so that the pot is heated from the side when placed on the base plate in a predetermined position, as determined, for example, by locating notches or grooves. The boiler unit is laterally extended to partly surround the circumference of the side walls of the pot with extension wings. The back of the extension wings is insulated, for example by a housing, which also surrounds the boiler. The arrangement permits a short path of boiling water or steam from the boiler to the top of the pot, while efficiently transferring heat thereto.

Abstract: A heated, variable tilt, rotating container or pot for making possible automatic, continuous mixing or tumbling, with or without simultaneous heating, of a plurality of foods or substances. The device consists of an outer non-rotating shell pivoting on a fixed base. Inside the shell is a pot rotated by a motor attached to the bottom of the shell. A cover is secured over the pot to prevent the contents from spilling out. The shell and its pot are tiltable as a unit to any angular position from vertical to horizontal. Compartments, dividers, ridges, projections or other shapes are inside the rotating pot or on the pot wall and/or bottom, to separate, move, mix and tumble the contents when the tilt angle of the pot is other than at the vertical position. The shell contains a suitable heating system for raising the temperature of the pot. The device is provided with an automatic temperature control, motor speed control and automatic time cycle and function indicators.

Abstract: Better coffee is made in a conventional percolator when the percolator is heated on a metal heating plate having a planar top surface and a locating recess centered in the surface. A small metal spacer having two oppositely directed, substantially planer and parallel faces is provided with a fixed locating projection on one of its faces. The dimensions of the projection permit it to be slidably received in the locating recess of the plate so that the bottom face of the spacer makes heat-transmitting area contact with the surface of the plate. When a water-filled percolator is placed on the top surface of the heating plate in the absence of the spacer, the water may be quickly heated almost to a boil. When the spacer then is inserted and the percolator centered on the top face of the spacer, direct heating of the water in the percolator is limited to water in the pumping assembly of the percolator during coffee brewing.

Abstract: A system for automatically purging heating mantles and other apparatus including an enclosed volume capable of low level pressurization. The system comprises a pressure sensor for sensing the fluid pressure within the enclosure, which may be the space between a heating mantle poncho and the enclosed flask, and a fluidic logic circuit which is responsive to a low pressure condition within the enclosure to deactivate the heating element in the mantle. At the same time, the logic circuit causes a predetermined volume of purging gas to flow through the enclosure and, after this has been accomplished, reactivates the heating element and reestablishes the minimum pressure conditions by flowing a small volume of purging gas into the enclosure. The system is particularly intended for use in hazardous locations where explosion-proof electrical equipment enclosures are normally mandatory.

Abstract: An electrically powered service vehicle having a plurality of programmable electrical stations is exemplified by a food service vehicle for use with food serving trays including internal heating elements for providing localized areas of heat on the trays for maintaining food placed thereon at a desired temperature. The vehicle has a plurality of storage compartments, each of which holds a plurality of the food serving trays in vertically spaced relation to each other. An on-board d-c. power source is connected to the heating elements within the trays via a plurality of electrical contacts within each storage compartment. A d-c. drive motor for propelling the vehicle is selectively connected to the power source through a drive control. The electrical contacts within the storage compartment are positioned to engage corresponding contacts on the trays when the trays are inserted into the storage compartments.

Abstract: A sterilizer or aseptor for contact lenses and the like is disclosed, which provides a capsule adapted to both carry and sterilize a single set of contact lenses. The sterilizer includes a well adapted to receive the capsule, and when the well is heated, sterilizing action occurs within the capsule. A cover is locked into a closed position to prohibit access to the capsule and well when the well is heated to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A heating unit for heating the contents of a container includes an electrical circuit having a pressure responsive switch that is normally open and a thermally responsive switch that is normally closed, the pressure switch is responsive to a predetermined weight of the container on a pivotally mounted heating element for activating the switch to the closed position for activating the heating circuit. The thermal switch is responsive to an overheating of the unit to interrupt the circuit. The heating unit is provided with a heating element having a conical center portion surrounded by an annular flat or planar surface, for receiving containers having only a predetermined shaped bottom for accommodating the particular shape of the heating element.

Abstract: A heating unit is provided in the form of an open topped container with a side wall and a bottom. The side wall has a plurality of bosses each of which has a plate-receiving groove. The bottom has on its upper surface elongated seat defining flanges, a barrier wall projecting between and extending laterally beyond a pair of seat defining flanges to separate the seats and to separate a pair of wires, and labyrinth walls defining a strain-relief circuitous wire passage. A pair of spring terminals are provided, each having a U-shaped part defined by two divergent leg parts one of which is seated in one of the seats and the other of which extends upwardly away from the bottom to a free end. A disc of PTCR material is mounted on the spaced free ends. A plate is snapped into the plate-receiving grooves of the bosses.

Abstract: A portable holder and height adjuster for beverage warmers is provided to improve the storage of a heated beverage for long periods of time and to reduce evaporation and spoilage that holds the partially filled decanter above the warming element on decanter holders suspended on adjustable compressible springs which are clamped to the base of the warmer.

Abstract: A warming unit and serving tray combination includes a unit that has a generally planar bottom surface which accommodates resting on a counter top with a top surface being parallel to and spaced above that counter top. The top surface is warmed, and it includes a peripheral margin of a contour that extends therearound. A serving tray has an upper surface corresponding in extent to the top surface of the warming unit and its skirt has a bottom margin matable with the warming unit so as to nest therewith. There are a plurality of openings in the serving tray that receive corresponding food containers seatable therein.

Abstract: A plurality of receptacles are provided each having pockets for receiving a bottle containing a shampoo or hair conditioner to be warmed. Each receptacle includes a U-shaped water conduit having a pair of legs extending beyond one side wall thereof. The bight portion of each conduit is closed by a spring loaded flap valve extending parallel to the bight. An opening is provided behind each flap valve which is in line with the legs of the U-shaped conduit. A first receptacle is connected to a pair of openings in a master heating unit containing a thermostat, a heating coil, and a pump for pumping water from a source past the heating coil through one of the openings in the U-shaped conduit of the first receptacle and back to the other side of the pump through the other leg of the U-shaped conduit in the first receptacle, warming the contents of the bottles supported within the first receptacle.

Abstract: A portable heating device for such applications as popping corn or heating liquids or infants' bottles of milk which employs a cup shaped member containing an electric heating element electrically insulated from the member which is disposed between an open relatively large round top end having an internal thread and a closed relatively small round bottom end having an external thread. An electrical connector is secured to the outside of the cup and is electrically connected to said element. A vertical cylindrically shaped sleeve open at its top end has a bottom end engaging the top end of the member. A vertically flexible hollow cylinder is disposed along side of the member and sleeve, the bottom end of the cylinder being closed, the top end being open. A hollow deflector chute extends between the sleeve and the cylinder, the chute having two spaced open ends, one chute end being connected to the top end of the cylinder, the other chute end being connected to the top end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical appliance for heating feeding-bottles, baby-food pots and containers of a similar type comprises a support and a heating element which is intended to come into contact with the container. The appliance further comprises a relatively flexible heating quilt which is fixed along a support handle, the quilt being intended to be wound and detachably fastened around the feeding-bottle or container to be heated.

Abstract: A food service system for institutional or other use is provided by a stack of insulated trays and a cart. In one embodiment the cart includes a heating and/or cooling source with an outlet and a return. The trays are provided with openings to permit the passage of heated or cooled air from the outlet through the stack to the return. In another embodiment the trays and cart are combined with a refrigeration unit and a heating unit to permit simultaneous heating and cooling of food portions held in the trays.

Abstract: A food cooking machine comprises a generally cylindrical vessel having liquid impervious walls, a closed end and an open end. A removable cap having a central axial vent opening closes the open end. The vessel is detachably supported on a base having a drive means engageable with the vessel for rotating the vessel about an axis substantially aligned with the vent opening and oriented between horizontal and an acute angle to horizontal and with the capped end of the vessel at least as elevated as the other end thereof. External heating means are provided for applying heat to the vessel contents through the vessel walls during rotation. The temperature in the vessel is selectively regulated by means of a temperature controller having a temperature sensing probe supported on the base in alignment with the vent opening in such manner that the opening is not blocked nor vessel rotation impeded.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for warming and hydrating tortillas that have been cooked at an earlier time and have subsequently become cold and hard. A base for the device has a heating element with a thermostat control. A cylindrical container is located above the heating element. Inside of the cylindrical container is a rack held a predetermined distance above the bottom of the cylindrical container by downwardly extending legs. A lid closes the top of the cylindrical container.

Abstract: A pyrex tank for heating corrosive solutions is formed with a main body portion having an open top and with a small annular cavity portion depending from the bottom of the main body portion. A heater unit comprising a heating element enclosed in a quartz tube is securely mounted in an upright position on a support. The tank is positioned on the support with the central opening of its annular cavity receiving the quartz tube of the heating element. The solution in the main body portion of the tank is heated in the annular cavity portion thereof by convection. A thermocouple supported in an upright position on the support is inserted through the open lower end of an upright tube fixed to the bottom wall of the tank and extending upwardly into the interior thereof.

Abstract: A respiratory humidifier has a base with a thermally controlled heater therein effective to heat a first transfer surface on the top of the base. Removably pressed against the first transfer surface is a second transfer surface forming the bottom of a container into which liquid is admitted, close to the bottom, by a float valve to establish a liquid level. Gas is admitted to the container below the liquid level through an inlet tube and is released from the container above the liquid level through an outlet tube. A porous pad in the container is in the gas flow path between the inlet tube and the outlet tube to provide extended, wettable surface. A float blocks the entrance to the outlet tube when the liquid level rises unduly and a normally closed shunt passage between the inlet tube and the outlet tube opens by differential pressure when the entrance to the outlet tube is blocked.

Abstract: A portable cooking installation consists of a heat-insulated enclosure containing a plurality of separately controllable electrical-resistance heating element surrounding and at least partially defining a space to receive a cooking vessel. For instance, two, three or four strip elements formed into circles of progressively increasing diameter (reckoning upwards) lie horizontally around a common axis to define a space to receive a suitably tapering cooking vessel; the elements can have aligned planar inner surfaces and be mounted on a resilient common support to improve vessel/element contact.