Including Or Comprising Holding Or Support Means For Material To Be Heated Patents (Class 219/521)
  • Patent number: 4626660
    Abstract: An oven is provided which has varying temperature zones. The oven is prepared from a pair of opposed elongate metal members, each heated at adjacent ends and a cavity defining a thermally insulating member between the metal bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Louis C. Rubens
  • Patent number: 4598193
    Abstract: A shoe machine for heating a shoe part is disclosed having a housing which defines a chamber. Shrouds are located centrally within the chamber defining first and second operating zones on either side of the shrouds. A heater is displaceable from a first operating position within the first operating zone to a park position within the shrouds to a second operating position within the second operating zone, and heats shoe parts supported within the first and second operating zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Hanson
  • Patent number: 4591692
    Abstract: A battery warmer includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element of a size to maintain the contents of a battery to which it is attached in the range of 45.degree. to .phi..degree. F. in ambient temperatures of -30.degree. to 75.degree. F., and a housing for the PTC element, preferably of foamed plastic. The housing is mounted to a flat side of the battery, either adhesively or mechanically. A method of making the warmer includes securing paper to two broad, parallel surfaces of the housing to provide one surface that will take adhesive and another to bear printed instructions, and which together inhibit warping of the housing during its manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Lawrance W. Wightman
  • Patent number: 4584462
    Abstract: A hairsetter for electrically heating a plurality of flexible hair curlers includes a thermally insulated hollow container receiving therein a plurality of vertically disposed elongated flexible hair curlers arranged in a pair of rows. The curlers are heated by a heat sink core portion disposed between the curler rows and in heat conductive contact with the curlers. The heat sink core portion includes a flat electrical resistance heater plate sandwiched between two electrically insulating boards covered by two oppositely facing metallic heat sink members. The heat sink members each have a plurality of vertical channels receiving and contacting a respective one of curlers of a curler row for conducting heat to the curler from the heater plate. The rows of curlers are disposed in a tiered arrangement to facilitate removal of the heated curlers from the container through a top opening on the container closed by a hinged cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Clairol Incorporated
    Inventor: Herbert M. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4584467
    Abstract: A rollably portable insulating cabinet having top openings for the replacle installation of self-leveling dispensers for stacked plates and the like has removeably assembled thereto, through a bottom opening, an air heater and blower assemblage of unitary structure and having longitudinally-extending heating elements so arranged and located with respect to vertically extending slot openings in the plate dispensers as to efficiently circulate blower-forced air heated by the heating elements through the plate dispenser slots for uniformly heating stacked plates within the dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Shelley Manufacturing Division of Alco Food Service Equipment Company
    Inventor: Guillermo A. Ruiz
  • Patent number: 4584466
    Abstract: A food service system for serving a standard meal to a group of people. The various food items that go together to make up the standard meal are prepared, and meals are assembled by placing the food items on trays so that each tray is one meal for one person. The tray has wells for receiving dishes containing the food items, and some of the wells have electrical contacts connected to contacts on the handle of the tray. A heated food item is placed in a dish having an electric heater that can be energized from the contacts in the well of the tray. A group of the trays is placed into a carrier, and supported on rails by the handles of the trays. The rails are connected to a power supply so that the foods in the electrically heated dishes in the wells having electrical contacts will be heated, and others will not be heated. The carrier is ventilated to remove excess heat to prevent heating the cold foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: Manny L. de Mola
  • Patent number: 4578566
    Abstract: An electrically energized soft contact lens disinfecting unit formed of a surfactant resistant plastic material to render the unit immune from attack by detergents used to clean the lenses prior to placing the lenses in the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Inventor: John G. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4576798
    Abstract: A contact lens disinfecting unit in which the lenses are immersed in a saline solution and heated to a predetermined minimum disinfecting temperature which is maintained for a predetermined period of time. The unit has a heating system which includes a PTC thermistor as a heating element sandwiched between metal heat distribution plates, and this heating system interacts with a manually resettable thermostat to control operation of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Safeway Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry B. Hall, Peter B. Hewes, Benjamin N. Moore, Rosario Sanzaro
  • Patent number: 4572944
    Abstract: An adjustable welding furnace includes a gimbal-mounted furnace housing within which a workpiece may be preheated and subsequently welded. A removable cover is mounted over an access opening in the housing for pivotal movement along either of two edges of the opening. A rotatable spit assembly, which may be mounted in any of several positions on the housing, suspends the workpiece within the housing for rotation independent of pivotal movement of the housing. A drawer-mounted heating assembly may be easily removed from the housing for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4563573
    Abstract: The toy electric oven has a chamber. In the lower portion of the chamber there is a chandelier bulb surrounded by a parabolic reflector that reflects heat upwardly. A rack in the upper portion of the chamber has a lower plate with an opening therein so that heat can impinge upon the underside of a utensil. The rack also has an upper plate provided with an opening immediately beneath a window in the top of the housing so that whatever is being heated can be viewed. A slide switch is employed to supply power to the chandelier lamp. The operating button of the slide switch is actuated between its open and closed positions by means of a switch plate having an arcuate slot therein possessing a sufficient amount of eccentricity so that the operating button of the switch is moved from its open position to its closed position when said switch plate is rotated in one direction by a manually-operated knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Randall J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4560859
    Abstract: Dish for use with meal tray feeding system in which dish is lifted for heating by a heater shelf slid between the dish and the tray has improved retention to resist being jostled out of contact with heater. Two parallel runners on the dish bottom have downwardly extending foot portions at their ends which greatly enhance the retention of the dish relative to both a pair of guide rib portions on the tray and the heater shelf. The heater shelf is mounted by a bracket to the side wall of a cart within which the heater shelves are mounted and the foot portions straddle the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: PTC Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Brennan
  • Patent number: 4559442
    Abstract: This invention relates to electric warming of towels, with a vertical member providing support to a series of spaced parallel horizontal members which receive, store and warm the towels. The heating element, being a line type heater, is enclosed within the vertical support member and is connected to any appropriate standard A.C. power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Inventor: Joe Graham
  • Patent number: 4558203
    Abstract: Heating apparatus for prepackaged foodstuffs, like nut meats in transparent packages, in which the package is dropped into a support for presenting the sides of the package to infrared radiant heat which is delivered along with cooling air to prevent damaging the film material of the package. The apparatus includes controls for limiting the time of package exposure to the heat and mechanism to lock the package support against dumping the package until it has been heated, and to unlock the support when the heated package is ready to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventor: Karl A. Bauridl
  • Patent number: 4554436
    Abstract: A sample vessel container in a sampling device for use in gas chromatography includes a rotatable metal block having a circular array of axial bores for accommodating a plurality of sample vessels. A heating jacket operative as an electric heater is non-rotatably connected to a housing, which jacket tightly surrounds in material contact with, and is adapted to heat, the rotatable metal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Bodenseewerk Perkin-Elmer & Co., GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Chlosta, Wolfgang Riegger
  • Patent number: 4554434
    Abstract: A heating plate for use in a drying device for the drying of inked paper produced by printing apparatus. The heating plate is formed by a sheet of metal having a central rectangular portion which serves to receive the inked paper and whose larger dimension at least equals the width of the inked paper in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper. The two sides of the plate which are parallel to the larger dimension are folded towards the underside in order to form two holders which serve to receive heating elements of a type which is clad with an insulating mineral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gilles Bailleul, Patrick Coville
  • Patent number: 4553022
    Abstract: An effusion cell assembly includes a self-supporting element disposed within a housing member. The self-supporting element provides efficient heat transfer to a crucible positioned therein and permits operation at relatively lower filament tempertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Colombo
  • Patent number: 4543471
    Abstract: A portable controlled temperature food carrier is presented wherein independent heating and cooling temperature control units are freely interchangeable depending upon desired use. The individual temperature control units are easily removable from the carrier housing to facilitate replacement, cleaning and/or changeover from a heating to a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Temp Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4536643
    Abstract: The present food dehydrator may be substantially cylindrical in shape including a base member, a plurality of stackable trays, and a top. The base member has a first chamber adapted for receipt of a heater element for convection air distribution and a second chamber adapted for receipt of a heating element suitable for forced air distribution. The base member further includes a chamber adapted for receipt of an electric fan motor. The dehydrator is convertible between a convection heating made and a forced air heating made by selectively mounting the convection heating element and the forced air heating element in their respective chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Alternative Pioneering Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Chad S. Erickson
  • Patent number: 4533558
    Abstract: A toast guard made of a heat absorbent ceramic piece molded in the shape of a slice of bread, but slightly smaller in size and thickness than a slice of bread. The ceramic piece is used in the toasting process of an ordinary multi-slotted household toaster when some of the slots of the toaster are filled with slices of bread and some of the slots are vacant. The ceramic piece enables the toast to be darkened to the same degree on both sides and prevents the excessive darkening or burning of the side of the toast adjacent to a vacant slot in the toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: David W. Ogle
  • Patent number: 4529868
    Abstract: An electrically energized evaporator and/or soft lens heating and disinfecting unit is provided which is compact in size in that it does not require a separate holder for the lenses. Instead, the unit itself forms the lens holder, and the holder has compartments for the left and right lenses and which are adapted to be filled with an appropriate saline solution, the compartments being heated by electrical heating elements to perform the desired disinfecting and sterilizing functions. These heating elements may take the form of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements. The unit is equipped with an electric plug which may be directly plugged into an electric receptacle to energize the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: John G. Bowen
    Inventors: John G. Bowen, Stephen G. Hauser
  • Patent number: 4529865
    Abstract: An electrically heated musical instrument stand for supporting an idle musical instrument during breaks or pauses during a musical performance for heating the interior of the instrument maintain the idled instrument warm and at its tuned temperature ready for immediate use includes an adjustable support base provided with an upwardly extending adjustable stem insertable into the bell of a musical instrument supported by an adjustable circular stop carried by the stem and engageable with the bell of the instrument. The stop is so positioned that a thermostatically controlled electric heater, including a resistance element enclosed in a cylindrical safety shield, mounted atop the stem is located substantially entirely within the interior of an instrument supported on the stand to provide radiant and naturally convective heat to the interior of the instrument. The heater thermostat is adjustable to provide regulated temperatures to a wide variety of instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Philip B. Oakes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4523935
    Abstract: A ceramic structure including a metallic body such as an electric heater. The metallic body is retained in a retaining portion of the ceramic structure in such a manner that a minute cavity is provided around the metallic body. This ceramic structure is produced by forming an organic film around the metallic body, preparing a ceramic structure including the metallic body surrounded with the organic film in a retaining portion of the ceramic structure, and heating the resultant structure so as to decompose the organic film, whereby a minute cavity is formed around the metallic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Takagi, Masahiro Tomita
  • Patent number: 4523083
    Abstract: A beverage warmer assembly comprising a support unit having an electrically heated surface on which a beverage-container unit such as a cup may rest, the container unit and the support unit having magnetically coacting elements so mounted to the respective units that a switch is (a) connected for electrical heating of the surface for one orientational relation of container-unit seating on the surface and (b) is inoperative for a different orientational relation of container-unit seating on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Hamilton-Dunn Research Co.
    Inventor: William H. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 4517442
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a support for a shoe part which is to have adhesive on a surface thereof activated by heat, and a heating member arranged to emit infra-red radiation to heat the shoe part. The heating member is mounted for movement between an operative position thereof in which the heating member is in opposed relationship with the support so that the shoe part can be heated, and an inoperative position in which the heating member is substantially enclosed by infra-red radiation reflecting screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Price, Nigel R. Tout, Raymond Hanson, Malcolm Tillyard
  • Patent number: 4517446
    Abstract: A heating device designed to be used within a refrigerated environment is provided with at least a first plate which is electrically insulated from an underlying resistance heater circuit. Plural insulating layers beneath the resistance heater reflect heat back toward the plate. The entire assembly is sealed against moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Safeway Products Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph R. Torning
  • Patent number: 4508959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating stackable dishes. The apparatus includes a shaft-like heatable housing with an open top which can be closed off with a cover. A support for a stack of dishes is disposed within the interior of the housing. The support moves translationally in the vertical direction on guide rails and is linked to endless chains which are driven by an electric motor. By operating the electric motor, the support with the stack of dishes is moved to a vertical position which is convenient for removing or inserting dishes. This movement may be executed following an automatic opening of the cover. The operator does not need to bend over or to stretch to reach the dishes. An automatic control further serves to lower the stack of dishes into the housing and to close the cover after the passage of a predetermined time interval at the desired vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Lukon, Fabrik fur elektrothermische Apparate und elektrische Stabheizkorper, Paul Luscher, Tauffelen
    Inventor: Paul Luscher
  • Patent number: 4504733
    Abstract: An electrically-heated dry bath wherein a metal block having receptacles for receiving test tubes or the like has resistor heaters fixed thereto and a thermistor temperature sensor therein. A control circuit is provided which connects and disconnects electrical current to and from said heaters in response to the temperature sensor. The control current is fedback such as to eliminate a factor J(S) from the overall transfer function of the circuit, J(S) being a transfer function expressing how various thermal time constants in the bath would, unless neutralized, make the effective time constant of the controlled system deviate from the ideal on-off transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Sybron Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 4495402
    Abstract: A warmer for heating wet dressings and other articles disposed in a combined heating and storage compartment in stacked relation insures that a bottommost article about to be dispensed is at a proper temperature so as to avoid burning the patient to whom the article is applied. The articles in stacked relation rest on a thin aluminum plate to which an electrical heater is connected for supplying thermal energy thereto, the plate having a center aperture forming a thermal island in which a first thermal sensor is disposed which projects into the compartment in contact with the bottommost one of the articles therein. A circuit board has control circuitry for the heater thereon and is disposed beneath the plate so as to simultaneously function as a stiffener for the plate. The control circuitry is connected to the first sensor as well as to a second thermal sensor which is directly responsive to the temperature of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: W. G. Whitney Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Burdick, Alfred Vasconcellos, William G. Whitney
  • Patent number: 4495404
    Abstract: A compact self-contained travel kit for brewing a beverage, such as tea, coffee, or the like, includes an open top container which is adapted to receive a small quantity of water to be heated by means of an electric heater element contained in the bottom of the container. A removable insert assembly is received within the container through the open top and provides upwardly open storage compartments for containing the ingredients for making tea or coffee, such as sugar, powdered cream material, coffee, tea or the like, which compartments are closable by lids so that either individual packets or bulk material may be stored. The insert includes a downwardly depending semi-conical portion which is proportioned and adapted to be telescopically received in the uppermost one of a pair of nested drinking cups storable within the container. The nested drinking cups are thus retained in place in a compact manner and are accessible by removal of the insert from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Wayne E. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 4493978
    Abstract: A serving dish having a heater, and a method for assembling the dish. An electric heater including a resistance element enclosed in a heat conducting and electrical insulating material is adhesively bonded against the bottom of a serving dish of ceramic or the like. Holes through the material covering the resistance element provide for electrical contact with the resistance element, and these holes are filled with solder. A bottom plate of stainless steel or other electrically conductive sheet is adhesively bonded over the heater, and the bottom plate is heated to melt the solder and cause the solder to fuse to the bottom plate. The entire bottom plate has its edges sealed by a silicone rubber sealant or the like to encapsulate the heater. The resulting dish has a bottom plate to give a neat appearance, the bottom acting as electrical contacts to energize the heater and heat the contents of the serving dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Inventor: Roger A. Starnes
  • Patent number: 4492853
    Abstract: Electrically heated cooking pans usually have a number of supporting legs, each of which is fixed individually to the underside of the pan. The assembly of such items is expensive and time-consuming and in addition failure of one leg can result in the whole device becoming useless and if failure occurs during cooking can be dangerous. According to the invention, a circular stand is used which replaces individual legs and only a single central fixing point is required for the ciruclar stand. Normally, the device will have its own electrical heater permanently secured to the base of the pan and this will have a metal cover to enclose the heater. The circular stand will normally be of synthetic plastics material and secured to the cover. The cover in turn can then be secured by a single central screw to the under side of the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Meyer Manufacturing Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yanta Lam
  • Patent number: 4492854
    Abstract: A contact lens disinfector has a pair of wells that are axially aligned and open in opposite directions from the disinfector casing. Between the wells is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor which serves as a heater to supply heat through a pair of heat sinks on opposite sides of the heater. Each heat sink has a spherically curved surface which engages flush with a companion shaped wall of the lens well to enhance the transfer of heat from the heater to the solution within the lens well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Ryder International Corporation
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Scott Ryder
  • Patent number: 4489233
    Abstract: An electrical heating unit of a heating set for hair curling rollers, is composed of two aluminum sheet components carrying together three parallel rows of upstanding heating posts and enclosing between them a resistance heater of the "rope heater" kind. It comprises a main plate of rectangular configuration which contains two lateral parallel rows of hollow heating posts along the long edges of the rectangle and is centrally recessed over its entire length in the shape of a rectangular trough of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the rope heater. The rope heater is positioned in the trough and extends along the four sides of the rectangle, while its ends are attached to a thermostatic switch and a thermo-fuse located in a separate pocket in this trough. A top plate covers the trough in the main plate and is provided with one central row of heating posts which are staggered in relation to the posts of the lateral rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 4482799
    Abstract: An evaporation heater having a wire wound into a coil and a support wire which extends from one arm of the wire outside of the coil, in spaced proximity therewith, to a central position within the coil but out of electric contact therewith is disclosed. An annular pellet of evaporant material is positioned over the wire support arm within the heater coil but out of contact therewith.The atmosphere around the heater coil and pellet is substantially evacuated and current is directed through such coil to apply radiant heat to the pellet to evaporate same.Because the heater coil is in spaced proximity with the pellet of evaporant material and not in contact therewith, chemical reaction therebetween or erosion is avoided, and a durable evaporation heater of uncomplex construction is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore J. Pricenski, Edward D. Parent
  • Patent number: 4481410
    Abstract: A fail safe sterilizing apparatus for simultaneously sterilizing lenses contained in a lens case and a bottle of rinse solution comprising a housing having a lid displaceable between an open position and a closed position; a first heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a first recess for receiving a first container therein; a second heat member displaceably mounted in said housing and including a second recess for receiving a second container therein; said first and second heat members being displaced when said first and second containers are positioned in said first and second recesses and said lid is in said closed position; switch means operable only when said first and second heat members have been displaced for permitting energizing of said first and second heat members; and, control means operably associated with said switch means for simultaneously energizing said first and second heat members is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bortnick
  • Patent number: 4472623
    Abstract: Heat to disinfect contact lens is supplied uniformly to a well in which the lenses are placed, from a single small heat source by providing an area of high resistance to heat flow directly above the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Barnes-Hind/Hydrocurve, Inc.
    Inventor: Menachem Futter
  • Patent number: 4467177
    Abstract: A heating device included a body having a seat for the positioning of at least one heating support having inserted therein at least one electrical resistive element, the resistive element being electrically connected to the pins of a plug for insertion into an electric socket. The body is provided with a first slit for the positioning of a first small plate or tablet, containing evaporable substances (such as antifly and antimosquito substances), so as to bring it in contact with at least a portion of the heating support and cause the evaporation of the substances in the tablet at a high temperature (about 140.degree. C.). A further seat is also provided spaced from the heating support, in which a support is arranged for a second tablet (for example, containing deodorizing substances), which evaporate at a not unduly high temperature (about 70.degree. C.). The body provides apertures for the passage and diffusion of the evaporated substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Zobele Industrie Chimiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fulvio Zobele
  • Patent number: 4460820
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a heat-shrinkable tube has a base for supporting the heat-shrinkable tube and a plurality of heating units provided on the base. The heating units are independently operable and are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michito Matsumoto, Toshiaki Kakii, Yuichi Toda
  • Patent number: 4459472
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electric heating apparatus comprising a pre-formed body of thermally insulating material defining a cavity for receiving a vessel whose contents are to be heated, the body being provided with an electric heating element in or adjacent the cavity for heating such a vessel in use of the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a housing in which the body is disposed with an air space between the body and the housing, the latter having openings so that convection air currents can flow through the air space in use of the apparatus for extracting heat via the air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Electrothermal Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth Morris, Harry J. J. Wrenn, Andrew C. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4456819
    Abstract: An adjustable welding furnace includes a gimbal-mounted furnace housing within which a workpiece may be preheated and subsequently welded. A removable cover is mounted over an access opening in the housing for pivotal movement along either of two edges of the opening. A rotatable spit assembly, which may be mounted in any of several positions on the housing, suspends the workpiece within the housing for rotation independent of pivotal movement of the housing. A drawer-mounted heating assembly may be easily removed from the housing for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4455763
    Abstract: Roaster for green coffee beans and other beans and nuts comprising a dish or tray, preferably of lightweight, disposable construction having a rim of sufficient height to contain the beans or nuts during roasting and a bottom which is formed with openings, the number, size and pattern of openings being such as to support the beans or nuts yet to allow free and uniform flow of hot air and gases from below the roaster through a mass of beans or nuts on the bottom. The tray bottom is preferably formed with downward extensions of the material, e.g., material resulting from piercing the tray bottom. Also, the same roaster but with a downwardly extending rim or legs to support the bottom above an open source of heat and a cover fitting the upper edge of the rim with an opening permitting escape of air and gases. Also, such roasters with a supply of green beans or nuts to be roasted and a disposable cover or enclosure enclosing the roaster and beans. The roaster is preferably made of metal, e.g., aluminum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Franklin R. Elevitch
  • Patent number: 4455479
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprising a heating chamber with a window provided on one side. At least one surface of the window is coated with a film of a reflecting metal oxide, such as indium oxide, to such a thickness that food in the heating chamber can be seen through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Itoh, Moriyoshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4442343
    Abstract: A heater for cups and fluids therein having an adjustable heat selector, heating circuitry and temperature stabilization circuitry, comprising a base support, an electrical circuit enclosing housing, an opening in an upper substantially horizontal surface of the housing for a heating element plate and heat sensor, and an upright section of the housing enclosing additional circuitry having a vertical, substantially cylindrical surface facing the heating element plate, substantially rectangular vertical surfaces for the remaining three sides of the upright section, the vertical substantially cylindrical surface and the substantially rectangular vertical surfaces forming an open-topped receptacle having inner partitions and a closed bottom for receiving assorted personal articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Koffee Keeper, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Genuit, Gary Cooper
  • Patent number: 4438324
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuho Narita, Kenji Yamamori, Hiroyuki Oota, Terutaka Aoshima
  • Patent number: 4425302
    Abstract: A household electric device, specifically a sublimer of perfumed bars and/or insecticides, includes a current receiving reservoir and a compartment in which a bar is housed, so that the bar gradually receives the heat necessary for the slow sublimation thereof. The reservoir has openings through which the vapors of the bar are discharged outwardly. The lateral sides of a central opening through which the vapors of the bar are discharged outwardly is provided with slots, blind at their ends, along which there is guided a manually-operated slide which incorporates a blade situated in the passage of the bar, constituting an element for removing the bar from the compartment in which it is housed. The free front of the casing is provided with holes in which there are disposed respective metal bushings covered with insulating sleeves. The metal bushings are connected to the plug of the assembly and to the heating resistance of the bar, and constitute receivers for another plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Seimex, S.A.
    Inventor: Bartolome Pons Pons
  • Patent number: 4420678
    Abstract: A lunch bucket or box includes an elongated three-sided container having an L-shaped top cover and a side wall door pivotally attached to the container walls to form a closed container. The container is compartmented with a series of food compartments exposed through the sidewall door, and at least one of which has a vertical divider to define beverage can compartments. The upper end of the container is constructed to releasably receive an integrated hot plate and bowl unit for heating of food products. The container is exposed by opening the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Frank H. Kalb
  • Patent number: 4420681
    Abstract: A hinged golf ball container for mounting over the speed control resistance elements of an electric golf cart having a bottom opening through which heated air from the resistance elements can pass. A ball supporting baffle within the container protects the golf balls from radiant heat and causes circulation of the heated air around the golf balls for raising the temperature thereof. A downwardly depending deflector assists in directing heated air surrounding the resistance elements into the golf ball container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Howard M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 4419568
    Abstract: A heater for wet dressings comprising, a case having a base with sidewalls defining a cavity, and an insert connected to the base and defining at least one recess in the cavity to receive the wet dressings. The heater has an electrical heating element in close proximity to the insert recess for heating the wet dressings, and the temperature of the heating element is controlled in the desired range of temperature of the wet dressings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: The Kendall Company
    Inventor: Ronald R. Van Overloop
  • Patent number: 4406941
    Abstract: An electric charcoal igniting device consisting of an upright open-ended sleeve of fire-resistant sheet metal in combination with an electric heating element. The heat loop of the electric element is disposed in the interior of the sleeve and the insulated handle of the element is secured to the exterior wall of the sleeve. In use the device is placed directly onto the pan, or coal-holding grate, of a charcoal grill, the sleeve is filled with the desired amount of charcoal briquets or the like, and the electric element is plugged in to ignite the briquets. When the desired degree of ignition is obtained, the device is lifted by the handle leaving the ignited coals in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Inventor: John D. Schmerein, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4405854
    Abstract: A basin for simultaneous or consecutive dewaxing and curing of denture molds is disclosed. The basin is generally box-shaped and is provided with three vertically-shaped trays of which the topmost remains above the high fluid level. The upper rear portion of the basin has a pivotally-secured frame-arm provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted to spray over the entire area of the topmost tray. The fluid from the nozzles drains back into the basin; a recirculating pump recirculates the fluid back into the nozzles. A separate fluid inlet is provided to fill the basin for curing. The basin is further provided with an upper and lower fluid level-limiting means, a heating element, a thermostat and, preferably, an automatic timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventor: Denis Lapointe