Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery powered thermal garment that is provided with a battery recharging circuit that is designed to recharge a battery package associated with said thermal garment approximately 30-40 times as fast as conventional recharging devices. In addition, the recharging circuit of the present invention is provided with a separate and direct power source for energizing the heating elements within said garment independently of said battery package. With respect to the recharging circuit, a transformer is provided for stepping down a AC voltage source and the transformer includes a dual tap, one for providing the independent power source to the garment and the other providing a recharging current. The recharging current is rectified and then directed through a silicon control rectifier to the battery package for recharging.

Abstract: Electric installation circuitry that provides means for interconnecting with conventional storage-type electric water heaters of the sort energized from three-wire mains and controlled as to energy use thermostatically, the combination of hand switching and automatic signaling to supply both cues and means for the users of such water heaters to effect energy savings.

Abstract: Contact lens disinfector unit for sterilizing contact lenses contained within a lens case, wherein the contact lenses are of the type which preferably should be sterilized or disinfected once each day and periodically cleaned after a predetermined number of sterilizing or disinfecting cycles. The heating unit includes a housing in which is disposed a heating block arranged to contact the lens case, and circuit means operatively associated with the heating block and adapted to be coupled to a source of electric potential for utilizing electric current to apply heat to the heating block. The circuit applies the electric current for a sufficient period of time to attain a desired sterilizing temperature within the case, and then terminates the heating cycle allowing the lens case and the contact lenses to cool, thereby completing the overall sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: An electric oven which has a plurality of heating positions for controllably heating foodstuff thereon includes temperature selection means for locally and remotely selecting the heating temperature, and timing means for locally and remotely setting the heating duration of each of the heating positions, respectively. Display means are provided for selectively showing the remaining heating duration locally and remotely following setting of the timing means for the heating duration of the cooking positions, respectively, and switching means are employed for selectively turning the heating positions on and off in response to the respective preset heating durations.

Abstract: Safety back-up and alarm circuit for loads such as electrical heaters and the like comprising a back-up substitute load for the primary load, e.g., an electric heater, switching circuits responsive to outputs from the primary and back-up loads, and which automatically replace the primary load with the back-up load upon failure of the primary load, said switching circuits including a circuit which reliably reads the output from the primary load and distinguishes failure of the primary load from mere non-load -- including impedance in the primary load circuit, a primary alarm element, e.g. a lamp, bell, or buzzer responsive through said switching circuits to a failure of the primary load and an energizing of the back-up load and a secondary alarm element, e.g. a bell or buzzer responsive to a failure of said back-up element.

Abstract: A cooking tray is disclosed in which a carrier of tempered glass is mounted on a support surface between the support surface and the heating element. The carrier is insulated to protect it from the heat of the heating element by thermal sealing means comprising in one embodiment an intermediate ring surrounding the heating element having a layer of insulation attached to the intermediate ring. Moisture seals are also provided between the carrier and the heating element to prevent moisture from entering between the carrier and the heating element.Various alternative embodiments illustrating the concept of utilizing the carrier of tempered glass with an intermediate ring, heat insulation and moisture sealing means to permit the combination of various heating elements with a carrier of tempered glass are disclosed.