Abstract: A portable heating assembly for use in a portable food warmer/server is provided including an electrical heating element supported on a protective rack. Mounting means are provided for detachably mounting the heating assembly to a support member. The heating assembly is adapted to be vertically movable between an upper limit and a lower limit and includes a biasing means for resiliently biasing the heating element in the upper limit.

Abstract: A multi-zone restaurant type of griddle is modularly constructed so that all maintenance may be done at the front of the griddle housing. The griddle plate is only three-eights of an inch thick with heat being spread uniformly by an aluminum plate in intimate contact with the bottom of the griddle plate. A thermocouple temperature sensing element is located at the bottom of a hole in the underside of the griddle plate so that the element is very near the cooking surface and is sensitive to the temperature of the load on the cooking surface, as distinguished from being sensitive to the temperature of the heating element below the griddle plate. With the modular construction, the front access, and light weight, all of the repairable parts of the griddle may be removed and replaced by one man as distinguished from most prior art griddles where two-man service teams were routinely required because they had to lift and invert a very heavy griddle which had a very thick steel griddle plate.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus, comprising a casing (3) produced from a plastic material capable of degrading at a high temperature and which surrounds, leaving a certain space, a metal pan (1), the pan resting on a series of supports (5-20-33) made from a heat-resistant material which are interposed between the upper edges of the casing (3) and the pan (1), and which thus leave between them spaces for the circulation of air (7). The supports (5-20-33) each comprise a head (9-25-36) which is securely mounted on the upper edge (4) of the pan (1) and a body (10-23-34) intended to come into engagement with the upper edge (6) of the casing (3) and comprising a fixing member (11-31-39) with the edge of the casing. The cooking apparatus is particularly useful as a deep fryer.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a heated water reservoir, a heating element retained in the reservoir, and a thermostatic and a low water sensor configuration positioned in a heat exchange relationship with the heated water reservoir. The thermostatic and low water sensing configurations position the temperature sensors outside of the water reservoir to prevent the heated accumulation of mineral and other deposits thereon. A niche is formed in the wall of the heated water reservoir for receiving the thermostatic sensor configuration. A retaining cover is positioned over the niche to enclose the thermostatic sensor configuration in the niche. A portion of the niche against which the sensors are positioned is thinned in order to more accurately read the corresponding temperatures.

Abstract: An electrically heated molded plastic pet feeding bowl capable of being interengagedly stacked in nested relationship with similar bowls for shipment or storage has a removable electric heating unit insertable through an open bottom of the bowl into heat exchange relationship with the bottom wall of an open-top bowl cavity holding food or water to be heated. The removable heating unit includes a bottom base having an electric heating element disposed on its upper side electctrically connected to and surrounding a centrally located thermostatic control on the upper side of the bottom base. The bottom base has an upwardly convex shape for ensuring that the heating element and thermostatic control are in proper heat transfer relationship with the bottom wall of the bowl when the heating unit is installed on bowl. The under side of the bottom base has a plurality of posts about which a flexible electrical cord for supplying power to the heating element can be wound for storage within the open bottom of the bowl.

Abstract: A plastic drinking container and holding stand for maintaining a heated beverage at a suitable elevated drinking temperature includes a thin metallic cup-shaped insert having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic heater affixed to the bottom wall thereof. An electrically non-conductive plastic sleeve encapsulates the insert and ceramic heater and has a thick outer shell with a thick bottom providing good thermal insulation characteristics and a film-like inner shell permitting rapid heat transfer from the metal insert to the beverage in the container. A pair of electrical contact pins extend into a linear groove on the bottom of the container for mating with spring contacts located between a pair of linear guides at the top of the holding stand and adapted to be received in the linear container groove. An upstanding tab on the stand engages a recess in the container groove to positively restrain the container against movement when mounted on the stand.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled laboratory heating apparatus consisting of a flexible electrical heater wrapped around the exterior surface of a conventional glass or metal beaker and permanently encased within a rubber molding forming an insulating ring around it. The heater is electrically connected to a power source through an integrated-circuit temperature control panel. A thermistor is mounted against the outside surface of the beaker within the rubber molding and is connected to the control panel to regulate the flow of current through the electrical heater to reach and maintain the temperature set by the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the current through the heater is automatically regulated to optimize the time required to heat the liquid in the beaker to the desired temperature and to then deliver trickle currents, as needed, to minimize fluctuations from the set-point.

Abstract: A portable container for maintaining a liquid in a heated state by means of electrical energy supplied to a heating element secured to the bottom of the container by a support bar having its ends frictionally inserted into support slots on the container bottom and enclosed by a base cap separable from container itself so that access may be had to the heating means. Within the separable base cap is the power connection for the container and an indicating light to show a power-on condition. The bottom of the container has an indented annular lip which cooperates with the base cap to form a continuous watertight outside wall for the complete container. The bottom cap of the container is provided with a non-skid material to assist in maintaining the container in a stationary position within a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A nestable heated bowl comprises an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom wall integrally connected to one another, for example, by molding plastic. The inner wall defines a cavity for receiving material such as water or food. The bottom edge of the outer wall defines an open lower end of the bowl. The bottom wall is spaced upwardly from the plane of the bottom edge of the outer wall. The inner wall and outer wall taper upwardly to define a space and are joined together to define a bowl edge. The inner wall, outer wall, and bowl edge of a second bowl are adapted to be received in said space in a compact, interengaging stackable fashion. An electric heating element, thermostat and cord are carried on underside of the bottom wall. When the bowl is inverted, the cord is windable around the thermostat adjacent to the heating element so as not to interfere with the interengaging nesting of a second bowl with the first bowl during shipment.

Abstract: A fluid heater having a fluid chamber with a base wall and an upright sidewall is positioned above a feed chamber having an upper wall. A plurality of identical tubular passage heaters, each having an upper outlet end connected to the fluid chamber base wall and an inlet end connected to the upper wall of the feed chamber, are disposed in at least one lateral protective niche recessed with respect to the fluid chamber upright wall. Return ducts located inwardly of the passage heaters connect the base wall of the fluid chambers to the upper wall of the feed chamber. Thermostatically controlled electric heating elements helically disposed on the passage heaters produce a thermosphonic circulation of fluid from the feed chamber through the passage heaters to the fluid chamber and back to the feed chamber through the return ducts. The heating capacity of the fluid heater can be varied within wide limits by energizing different numbers of passage heaters.

Abstract: A warming bowl for electrically heating lavage and irrigation liquid for use during medical-surgical procedures includes an electric heating device and an automatic thermostatic control to heat and maintain the liquid at a substantially constant temperature. The warming bowl is disposable after use and has an inner and an outer bowl sealed to one another so as to provide an internal sealed region therebetween for holding a battery to power the electric heating device. The inner bowl serves to hold irrigation liquid and supports therein a housing made of low-thermal-conductivity material that houses the electric heating device and the thermostatic control in spaced, substantially thermally isolated relation from one another. A metallic thermal shunt conductor is disposed along and in contact with a portion of the external periphery of the housing and extends over and across the space between the heating device and the thermostatic control.

Abstract: The invention concerns a utensil for cooking food. There is a container provided with an opening for insertion and removal of the foodstuffs to be cooked. The container is mounted on a stand and may be used at an angle of about 90 degrees or about 45 degrees. A speed control to permit stirring of the ingredients is provided. Any suitable heating source may be used.

Abstract: Domestic food cooking apparatus including a container for holding a food product to be prepared and defining a heating surface and electrical resistance heating apparatus fixedly associated with the container in electrically insulated touching relationship with the heating surface.

Abstract: A plastic skirt (3) surrounding a metal pan (1) is employed for external heat-insulation of electrically-heated cooking appliances and in particular deep fryers. The skirt (3) is of plastic material which does not continuously withstand the temperature of the pan wall (1a, 1b) and is separated from this wall by an air space (4) of sufficient width to limit the temperature of the skirt (3). The skirt is completely free with respect to the pan (1) with the exception of a ring (5) which joins the top edge (3a) of the skirt to the top edge (1c) of the pan and to which this latter is attached. The ring (5) is of heat-insulating material which affords continuous resistance to the temperature of the top edge (1c) of the pan (1).

Abstract: A portable, self heating, container assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes an electrically heated double-walled insulated vessel having a lower end portion telescopically, rotatably and removably received in a tubular socket of a separate base unit. The socket bottom has a pair of electrical contacts connected through a power switch and fuse to a power cord adapted to be plugged into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. The pair of contacts are engageable with cooperating electrical contacts on the vessel bottom for energization of the heating element upon the vessel being received in the recessed in the socket. The vessel bottom and socket have cooperating spaced, interengageable radial locking flanges arranged to securely lock the vessel and base unit together upon rotation of the vessel relative to the base unit after the lower end portion of the vessel is placed in to the socket.

Abstract: A heated water vessel for providing drinking water for animals is provided which has a first exterior rubber container and a second rubber interior container wherein the second container is nested within the first, forming an enclosed air pocket between the first and second container. The two containers are sealed together with a breakable adhesive in order to allow the separation of the containers if necessary. An electric self-regulating heating cable is wrapped around the outer surface of the second container and in contact therewith in order to prevent the water within the inner container from freezing over during subfreezing temperatures. The enclosed air pocket does not contain any foamed or other type of insulation.

Abstract: The flat electrical resistance heating element is intended principally for a household article having a heating surface.The heating element comprises a heating resistance cut out from a metal sheet (1) which is coated with a substrate (2) of electrically insulating material resistant to the heating temperature and adherent to the metal sheet (1) and to the material of which the support (5) of the heating surface of the article is made.Use principally in base-heated kitchen utensils and irons.

Abstract: A cooking pot of the waterless type has an electrical heating element in the thick base thereof. The heating element can be permanently embedded in the base. Alternatively the base can have a blind recess therein into which an electrical heating structure is inserted. This structure is removable from the recess. Various stands for supporting the pots and making electrical connections to the heating structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiautomatic frying apparatus including a food carrying basket having a forward mounting lip and a rearward handle. The apparatus includes a basket-supporting shaft having a lip-engaging cradle for mounting the basket to the shaft. Disposed beneath the shaft, in a position to receive the basket upon rotation of the shaft, is a vessel holding heated cooking medium such as oil. A plate-like heater disposed beneath the vessel in heating contact therewith includes a bottom surface having a recess for mounting one or more temperature sensors, the recess opening into an airflow cavity. The frying apparatus is disposed within a cabinet and a fan and filter, also disposed within the cabinet, provides an air flow therethrough. A door connected by linkage to the basket-supporting shaft selectively blocks air flow through the cavity beneath the heating plate, and when opened to an unblocking position, purges heated air from the recess air, providing compensation for the temperature sensors therein.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes a heater with an electrical resistance wire element bonded between first and second layers of silicone rubber insulation. First and second conductor plates each having inner and outer surfaces are clamped together with the heater between their inner surfaces. A resettable, thermostatic switch is mounted on the outer surface of one of the conductor plates and opens when the conductor plate reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A heatable container assembly with a removable support cover containing a heater, sensors and interconnections.

Abstract: The boiler comprises a vessel (1) and a heating element (2) associated with this vessel (1). The vessel (1) comprises at least two compartments which have mutually facing wall members (3, 4) having a profile complementary to the heating element (2) and deformably connected together by a wall part (5). The heating element (2) is disposed between the wall members (3, 4) and a retainer holds the wall members (3, 4) against the heating element (2). A bridge is formed by a wall part (5) which deformably connects the wall members. The retainer includes a top part (9) of the vessel and a split ring (10).

Abstract: The main container of a deep fat fryer has electrical tubular heaters outside the frying fat area and integrated in thermally conductive manner into the walls of a flow circulating shaft and which heat the frying fat in the case of upwardly directed flows through flow channels and consequently keep it in continuous flow circuit by means of a rising flow channel. For temperature regulation purposes is provided a fat temperature sensor which directly taps the fat temperature and also a temperature sensor in the form of a running dry protection means, which taps the temperature directly on the tubular heaters or the associated wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric rice cooker which includes a pot to hold rice and water, an inner case defining a heating space between the inner case and the outer peripheral and bottom surfaces of the pot, an outer case supporting the inner case, and at least one heater disposed in the heating space at a fixed distance from each of the pot and the inner case for heating air in the heating space to circulate the same by convection, thereby heating the pot and the rice and water in the pot from the upper portion.

Abstract: A cooking pan having an inner shell and an outer shell between which is an oil filled cavity containing a heating element the inner shell being secured to the outer shell by a rolled beaded edge formed in such a manner that the free edges of the respective inner shell and outer shell are not in contact with one another because the outer margin of the inner shell has been pre-beaded, the outer margin of the outer shell has been folded, and the relationship between the two is such that the folded portion is spaced slightly from the pre-beaded portion. The oil filling hole is provided with a circumferential seat against which an O-ring is urged by a cup-shaped plug for the hole backed by a spring and spring retainer held in position by a handle bracket provided with a spring retainer backing plate so that the oil filling hole plug functions also as a relief valve which is completely concealed beneath the handle.

Abstract: A heating kettle includes a pot having a bottom wall and a side wall, a heating element adapted to heat the pot, and a hold-down plate for holding the heating element against the bottom wall of the pot. The hold-down plate is secured to both the bottom wall of the pot and to the side wall of the pot by a plurality of fasteners. Such plurality of fasteners securely sandwiches the heating element between the hold down plate and the bottom wall of the pot, thereby minimizing the deformation of the bottom wall of the pot and of the heating element during use of the kettle so as to increase the efficiency of the kettle.

Abstract: A continuous flow heater assembly for an electrically heated apparatus for producing an infusion beverage comprises a generally dish-like mounting plate carrying a tubular heater of generally annular configuration and, inside that annular configuration, a water pipe which is also of a generally annular configuration. The underside of the tubular heater and the water pipe are in heat-conducting contact with the mounting plate while the underside of a support plate for supporting a container containing a beverage bears against the tubular heater but not against the water pipe. A raised edge portion of the dish shape of the mounting plate extends at a small spacing from the adjacent side wall of the tubular heater, to a position close to the underside of the support plate. Alternatively, a guard ring may be fitted onto the space between the mounting plate and the support plate outwardly of the tubular heater to partially close the space between the plates.

Abstract: An electrically heated pot for heating the keeping warm a liquid includes a vacuum container having a vacuum region formed between the outer surface of a cylindrical internal tank and the inner surface of an external tank. The internal tank has an opening at one end. A cylindrical reservoir tank for accomodating the liquid to be heated is removably located within the internal tank through the opening. The central portion of the reservoir tank is in close contact with the inner surface of the internal tank, while an end portion thereof opposite the opening is shaped to define with the internal tank a heater mounting room. A thermostatically controlled electric heater is mounted on the surface of the reservoir tank in the heater mounting room and is removable with the reservoir tank through the opening.

Abstract: An electrically heated container for boiling liquids is provided with a thermally sensitive electrical control including a switch-on-dry protector switch unit directly connected with the cold leads of an electric heating element located externally of the container and in contact with the bottom wall thereof. The protector switch unit includes a thermally sensitive switch means enclosed in a protective housing having projecting terminal pins engageable by a female socket connector. The protector switch unit is mounted on a thermally conductive mounting plate located externally of the container and in contact with the heating element. The plate is enclosed by a detachable base member on the container. A steam-sensitive switch unit is mounted on the protector switch unit and includes a thermally sensitive element arranged to be impinged by steam produced by liquid boiling in the container and mechanically coupled to the switch means of the protector switch unit for deenergizing the heating element.

Abstract: A plastic reinforced fiberglass container has heating element integrally bonded into the container's interlaminate structure and preferably between the corrosion liner and the structural lamina to permit efficient heating of the container contents. A thermocouple is also embedded in the interlaminate structure and preferably positioned at the same location to achieve sensitive temperature control of the container's contents.

Abstract: A plastic reinforced fiberglass container has heating element integrally bonded into the container's interlaminate structure and preferably between the corrosion liner and the structural lamina to permit efficient heating of the container contents. A thermocouple is also embedded in the interlaminate structure and preferably positioned at the same location to achieve sensitive temperature control of the container's contents.

Abstract: A materials heating device includes rod-shaped electrical heating element which serves both to heat a thermoconductive receptacle containing the material to be heated as well as tools and instruments for working with the material. The heating element is mounted in spaced relationship to the receptacle by a thermoconductive bracket through which heat is conducted to the receptacle to heat the contents thereof. The end of the heating element protrudes from the bracket, whereby tools and instruments to be heated can be held in direct contact with the exposed end portion of the heating element until sufficient heat is transferred thereto. An adjustable heat dissipator can be provided on the receptacle to regulate the temperature of the receptacle.

Abstract: A diffusion pump includes a flat metal boiler plate having an upper face defining a floor for a pool of a vaporizable diffusion pump fluid or oil and a lower face against which the metallic sheath of a tubular electric heater is pressed by a coextensive massive clamping plate. The heater has a tendency to be overheated if only air is its thermal load. To prevent overheating of the heater because of variations in the geometry of the heater sheath which tend to cause air spaces between the sheath and the face of the boiler plate, a thin flexible metal crush plate is disposed between the clamping plate and the heater. The crush plate has a plurality of spaced, raised dimples adapted to contact many portions of the heater sheath throughout the length of the sheath. As the clamping plate, the flexible plate and the heater are urged toward the boiler plate by nut and bolt assemblies securing the clamping plate to the boiler plate, the dimples are deformed whenever they are in contact with the heater sheath.

Abstract: A heater assembly for a container such as a cooking vessel includes a heating coil in a tubular heater casing, with a connecting pin member connected to the heating coil and projecting through an insulating sleeve mounted to the end of the casing. A plug connecting pin is mounted to the part of the pin member projecting from the insulating sleeve. The end of the casing is butted directly against the insulating sleeve, and a casting material is cast around parts of the plug pin, the casing and the insulating sleeve to form an assembly thereof.

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: This invention pertains to an electrical heating device for heating ceramic food preparation and serving vessels and comprises a ceramic base compatible aesthetically with a set of such serving vessels and having a central opening in the top surface associated with an annular seat which receives and supports an electrical resistance heating unit, the unit being complementary in size and shape to the opening and seat and supported therein solely by gravity for ready removal to permit the base to be cleansed while the heating unit is removed therefrom.

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 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 cooking appliance wherein a unique U-shaped bracket is provided for connecting an outer housing, an inner cooking vessel, a thermostat assembly and a bottom cover to each other. One of the arms of the bracket is inserted through a downwardly extending tab of the cooking vessel, the other arm of the bracket is connected to a screw for mounting a stack thermostat, and the central portion of the bracket is connected to a screw for urging the vessel downwardly and the bottom cover upwardly to economically hold the parts in assembled position on the outer insulated housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heating, moistening and holding cosmetic towels or the like is disclosed herein having a box-like support into which a water tray is placed. Legs are carried underneath the tray for holding the tray in spaced relationship with respect to the bottom of the support. A heater coil is downwardly suspended from the tray in the space and the heater coil terminates in a pronged electrical connection for detachably receiving an electrical plug attached to a conventional source of AC line voltage. The water tray holds a small quantity of water and, in turn, supports a removable perforated table which supports the towels. The sidewall of the water tray upwardly project beyond the towel surface of the perforated table and the sidewall of box-like support. A removable lid completes the device so that steam produced by the heated water is captured in the device for heating and moistening the towels.

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 portable food serving receptacle capable of heating chilled or frozen food to cooking or serving temperatures and automatically maintaining food at serving temperature. The receptacle consists of thin metallic walls and utilizes a flexible heating element of electrical and thermal insulating material. The heating element is adhered to the metallic walls of an inner dish of the receptacle. The insulating material of the heating element forms a laminated structure in which the electrical resistor is embedded. The walls of the receptacle have a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the laminate. The rate of heat flow from the heating element to the interface of the food and metallic walls of the receptacle is controlled by the thermal insulating characteristics of the laminate so that gradients of heat entering any given point of the food are substantially equal and are maintained at temperature levels below the scorching temperature of the food.

Abstract: An improved electric heating system for removable application to the bottoms of stock watering tanks. It consists of a substantially rigid heater element connected in series with a surface thermostat, for energization from a suitable electrical source. The element is forced into heat transfer relation with the outside of the bottom of said tank, and is rigidly connected to a thermostat bracket which simultaneously provides good heat transfer from the tank to the thermostat.

Abstract: A glass or ceramic cooking vessel of the type commonly employed in slow cookers is provided with heating apparatus for heating the vessel in a substantially uniform manner. An electric heating element is supported in a position spaced from the vessel such that direct conduction of heat to the vessel is prevented, heat transfer means being provided to conduct heat from the heating element to the vessel over an extended portion of the vessel's outer surface.

Abstract: A generally bowl-shaped coffee maker base structure is disclosed having a plurality of receptacles extending upwardly from the structure bottom. Exposed electrical terminals common with electrical parts on an electric coffee maker are positioned within the appropriate receptacles. The electrical terminals are encapsulated by filling the receptacles with a liquid hardenable sealing compound. The compound is cured and hardens to provide watertight corrosion-proof terminals to produce an immersible unitary base structure for a coffee maker.

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.