Including Or Comprising Holding Or Support Means For Material To Be Heated Patents (Class 219/521)
  • Patent number: 5406054
    Abstract: A simulated rock includes a heating chamber containing a self-contained battery operated heater. Heating coils extend throughout the body of the simulated rock to heat its surfaces. The heating chamber is accessible through a removable lid and the simulated rock has an internal chamber providing safe shelter for an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Raymond Chirdon
  • Patent number: 5400431
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of making an artificial flower resembling a dried flower, in which the artificial flower has a plurality of petals made from a fabric, each petal having an upper end with a tip, in which the tips of the petals are heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the fabric in the region of the tips by a heating assembly including a heating coil and a blower, and the petals in areas thereof other than the tips, are protected from the heat to prevent melting thereof, by placing the artificial flower in a recess of a heat sink body such that only the tips thereof protrude from the heat sink body, and as a result, a shrivelled, dried-up appearance is imparted to the artificial flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: United Chinese Plastics Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: George Y. S. Koo
  • Patent number: 5399840
    Abstract: A block heating system includes a housing defining an open-top well closed at the bottom by a base plate which is heated by an electric heater in the housing. One or more carrier blocks are removably received in the well, each block having a plurality of receptacles in the top face for receiving test tubes or the like to be heated. A temperature probe assembly includes a rigid metal sheath projecting up into the well from the base plate and receivable in a bore in the bottom of one of the carrier blocks. A thermistor at the tip of the sheath senses the temperature in the middle of the block, which is displayed on an LED display on the front panel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Lab-Line Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Goeddeke
  • Patent number: 5397875
    Abstract: A portable appliance for heating towels and for dispensing heated fluid such as body oil has a suitcase-like housing with hinge-connected base and lid components that define a plurality of compartments for heating towels and liquid when the housing is "open" and the appliance is "set up" for operation, and for receiving components of the appliance so that the appliance can be conveniently stored and transported when the housing is "closed." When the housing is open, a support structure such as a set of legs is removable from the housing for use in supporting at least a base portion of the housing at an a convenient access height above a floor or other substantially horizontal surface. A relatively large main compartment is defined by the housing for receiving and suitably heating towels therein for use in concert with the administration of a massage. "Wet" or "dry" towel heating can be carried out within the main heating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bechtold, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5396049
    Abstract: A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing medical instruments such as scalpels, tweezers, needles and the like utilizes an electrically heated inert material as the sterilizing media. Instruments to be sterilized are positioned in the inert material and become aseptic within 10 to 30 seconds. The sterilization apparatus includes a cylindrical metal tube which can be electrically heated in a short time to a high temperature (200.degree.-300.degree. C.). The sterilization apparatus also includes insulation surrounding the heated cylindrical metal tube and an insulated base. This insulation ensures that heat is conducted to the inside of the tube and is isolated from other parts of the apparatus, particularly, the electronic components. With this insulation, a compact sterilization apparatus can be made without damage to the apparatus components due to excessive heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Agrogen, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich C. Knopf
  • Patent number: 5396046
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing, refrigerating and heating food items in serving containers including a rethermalization cart including a plurality of shelves. Each of the shelves support one of a plurality of food trays thereon. Each tray has a plurality of food compartments and openings for supporting one of the serving containers. Each serving container containing food to be heated includes a cover. Each shelf of the cart has at least three heating pads conforming to the openings of the tray when the tray is inserted in the shelf. The cart also includes a plurality of individual switches each controlling all of the heater pads of each tray shelf as a set. Each switch is provided within a channel recessed from the exterior surface of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Therma-Chill, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford M. Oelfke
  • Patent number: 5384889
    Abstract: A heating device for recovering a heat-recoverable plastics sleeve about a portion of a wire harness comprises a housing having a heating location when the portion of the harness and heat-recoverable sleeve are introduced, and a heating unit that is movable between a rearward position in which it surrounds the heating location. The heating unit comprises a pair of heating jaws (5,5') that open as they move toward the heating location and then close as they arrive at it so that the portion of the harness to be heated is completely enclosed within the heating unit. The jaws open again when they recede from the heating location to allow the harness to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Raychem Limited
    Inventor: Michael R. Cook
  • Patent number: 5380986
    Abstract: A portable multi-purpose electric fast cooking apparatus for use in cooking a variety of foods by various methods. The apparatus includes a pair of hinged pan-shaped housing members having a bottom wall and a side wall which can be pivoted between a closed position superposed one above the other in opposed facing relation and an open position laterally adjacent one another, and each housing has a laterally extending handle to serve as a carrying handle when the housing members are in the closed position. A heating plate is carried by each housing member and each plate has a heating element secured to its underside and an outward facing side with a central depressed flat surface surrounded by a raised side wall and shoulder at the top thereof. Each heating element is individually controlled by a separate thermostat. In the closed position, the depressed flat surfaces, surrounding raised side walls and shoulders define a central cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Charles F. Mullen
  • Patent number: 5379685
    Abstract: An electric toaster is suspended from the lower surface of a kitchen cabinet. The electric toaster has a horizontally disposed toasting compartment. An inner wall defines the toasting compartment and is spaced from an outer housing wall. A partition extends in the space between the inner and outer housing walls to separate the space into inner and outer air paths. An air inlet is in fluid flow communication with the inner air path to obtain convective cooling of the inner air path. The air in the outer air path provides an insulating barrier to minimize the transfer of heat from the toasting compartment to the housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Z. Krasznai
  • Patent number: 5376772
    Abstract: An electrothermal color-varying instrument for inducing color change in a color-varying layer includes a heat generating element composed of a sintered barium titanate thermistor in face-to face contact with a heat transmitting member having a heating end portion for transmitting heat to the thermal color-varying layer. The thermistor has:(i) a positive temperature coefficient on the electrical resistance within a temperature range from 25.degree. C. to 70.degree. C.;(ii) a volume resistivity at 25.degree. C. (.rho..sub.25) within a range of 9.8.times.10.sup.-3 to 2.97.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA..multidot.cm; and(iii) a ratio (.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25) of the volume resistivity at 70.degree. C. to that at 25.degree. C. within a range of 5.ltoreq.(.rho..sub.70 /.rho..sub.25).ltoreq.400.The electrothermal heat generating element generates heat under the application of a voltage in the range of 0.8 to 40 volts and maintains a saturated heating temperature within a range of 30 to 100 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tanehiro Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Ono, Tsutomu Tomatsu, Takeo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5365038
    Abstract: A defroster having storage area for storing a heat releasing substance and a defrosting plate having a product supporting surface surrounded by an upstanding perimeter edge wall and arranged above the storage area in heat exchange relationship therewith has a receiving groove extending around a portion of at least one perimeter edge of said defrosting plate for receiving ice water which results from defrosting of a frozen food product positioned on the supporting surface of the defroster. The storage area includes a hot water reservoir in a first embodiment and the storage area includes a mounting tray for holding a heating element in a second embodiment of the invention. The defroster also includes a cover which covers the product supporting surface, The defroster enables frozen food products such as raw meat and fish to remain fresh after defrosting, and is an improvement over defrosting at room temperature, defrosting in a microwave oven, or defrosting in a refrigerator, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nissei Giken
    Inventor: Udagawa Mitsugu
  • Patent number: 5341927
    Abstract: A golf bag having a battery powered heating element for heating the grips of golf clubs comprises a flexible heating pad which is adapted to be formed into a cylindrical shape for insertion into a golf bag so as to surround the grips of golf clubs inserted into the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Vincent E. Coyner
  • Patent number: 5338922
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a cooking chamber having a door. A tray is mounted in the chamber by a roller/guide track arrangement such that gravitational force acting on the tray is converted into a force which slides the tray forwardly when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young D. Kim, Sung H. Hong
  • Patent number: 5324911
    Abstract: An animal surgery table having an electrical heating pad disposed immediately beneath the operating surface and thermostatically controlled by a temperature sensor embedded within the heating pad for preventing heat loss from animals during surgery is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Schroer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dale O. Cranston, Richard N. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 5309826
    Abstract: A toaster housing is arranged to accommodate a plurality of tortilla type shells therewithin, wherein a top wall of the housing includes a row of alternatingly oriented U-shaped openings, with each of the openings aligned with an underlying U-shaped cage. A sineusoidal heating plate extends between ends of the housing about the cages to effect heating and toasting of the tortilla shells directed therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Carlos R. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 5308953
    Abstract: A capillary rheometer plunger having a liquid-filled capillary passage extending within the plunger is removably housed in a heater block holder for maintaining temperature stability and minimizing temperature induced errors. The plunger is placed in the holder during purging, cleaning, reloading and packing the capillary rheometer with the polymer under test. The holder includes an electrically heated holder member disposed within an aperture of an outer shield and is provided with an aperture in which the plunger is removably received for heating. A base supports the shell. A temperature sensor disposed in the shell controls the temperature of the holder member at the temperature of the polymer under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Dynisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Grudzien, Jr., Robert Malloy
  • Patent number: 5306896
    Abstract: Acid digestion of liquid specimens which are to be subsequently analyzed by spectroscopy to identify recoverable or dissolved metals is effected in an open digestion operation in apparatus which includes inclined, vertically spaced saddles on which specimen containing glass jars are supported in corresponding inclined orientation so that a surface of the specimens in the jars is overlaid by the wall of the jar and the jar opening is remote from the specimen, this arrangement allowing that the vessel wall facing the specimen surface, during digestion, will serve as a condensing surface for specimen vapors evolved incident digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Savant Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Glater, Yury Zlobinsky
  • Patent number: 5304280
    Abstract: A support is provided for supporting the lower header plate and adjacent tube ends of a radiator core within an oven area for even heating thereof preparatory to manually pry and scrapping softened epoxy material from the header plate and about the tube ends. A method also is incorporated wherein after the original epoxy has been removed, fresh epoxy is applied to the header plate about the tube ends and allowed to cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventors: Dyrell K. Stokes, Bennie J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 5293583
    Abstract: A compact low power water heater and food product warming unit especially designed for military vehicles which includes a sturdy and selectively sealed tank having uninsulated thermally conductive in which water may be heated by conduction by way of a heating element secured exteriorly of the tank. The tank is enclosed by a thermally insulated cover in such a manner that a plurality readily accessible pockets are provided between the cover and tank walls into which a plurality of field ration (MRE) or food packets may be inserted to thereby utilize the hot water in the tank as a source of heat for heating the packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: K.C. Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kiran J. Chudgar
  • Patent number: 5293404
    Abstract: A thermal analysis device with a sample transporting machine which automatically carries out pretreatment of a sample to quickly heat or cool it. The configuration includes an electric furnace, a temperature controller, a temperature program setter, a sample placing/removing program setter, and a sample transporter, wherein the said sample placing/removing program setter commands the said sample transporter to place the said sample in or remove it from the said electric furnace in synchronization with a synchronization signal from the said temperature program setter and in accordance with a preset sample placing/removing program and, hence, the said sample placing and removing operations (i.e. to place a sample in the electric furnace or, conversely to remove a sample from the electric furnace) are carried out in the electric furnace which is performing a heating operation or a cooling operation in accordance with a temperature program output by the said temperature program setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Haruo Takeda
  • Patent number: 5290997
    Abstract: A rotary stove for warming food items being served at a table has a tray mounted on a base for rotation about a vertical axis and includes a central protrusion supporting a hot plate surrounded by a plurality of peripheral vessels removably seated in the tray. The tray has a first electric heater in contact with the hot plate and a plurality of second electric heaters each contacting respective ones of the removable vessels. The heaters are connected to a power supply by cooperating slip rings and brushes on the tray and base. A pot may be placed on the hot plate to be heated and different foods placed in the vessels for warming may be conveniently chosen by rotation of the tray. Alternatively, the plurality of removable vessels may be replaced by a single annular vessel in contact with the second heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Lai, Shih-Wen Li
  • Patent number: 5286951
    Abstract: A device for supporting a plastic spectacle frame in a plastic spectacle frame warmer of the type that, in use, retains a primary amount of a solid granular material such as glass beads, in a heating pan and that uses the glass beads as a heat transfer medium, is disclosed. The device comprises a base portion for maintaining the device in a substantially upright relation within the heating pan of the frame warmer. An intermediate portion is supported by the base portion and extends upwardly therefrom. A receptacle portion is supported by the intermediate portion and extends upwardly from the base portion, and is adapted to receive and retain a secondary amount of the glass beads therein above the level of primary amount of the glass beads in the heating pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5286949
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing heated hair rollers wherein the rollers are suspended vertically in a heating chamber of a housing, an amount of water is introduced into the chamber and heated to generate steam which surrounds the rollers and condenses thereon heating and moistening the rollers which may then be removed and applied to a person's hair. The rollers are suspended by a horizontal plate within the housing which defines a steam chamber between the plate and the bottom of the housing. The plate has a plurality of holes sized to allow passage of the rollers. Each hair roller has a head portion which is larger in diameter than the respective hole whereby the rollers are suspended from the plate within the steam chamber such that the head portion of each roller remains outside of the heating chamber to provide a relatively cool handle for easy manipulation of the heated and moistened rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Rosemary Simons
  • Patent number: 5276310
    Abstract: An electrically heated toolbox for heating hand tools that have been stored or used in a cold environment. The toolbox is a multiple drawer container which has installed therein heating sheets integrally connected to an outside electrical power source, alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). The heating sheets warm the hand tools by radiated heat or direct heat when the heating sheets are connected to the outside power source. A desired temperature may be obtained by using the rheostat temperature setting device. The toolbox may be connected to a standard AC plug connection, a DC vehicle battery or, if desired, a cigarette lighter outlet of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventors: William Schmidt, Kirk Malcomson
  • Patent number: 5274215
    Abstract: A portable food warming apparatus has a base container removably receiving a tray insert having a tray floor spaced from the base container floor to define a chamber therebetween filled with a heat exchange liquid. An electric resistance heating element coil is mounted on the container floor to effect warming of the liquid and thereby the tray insert. A vehicular cigarette lighter adapter plug permits energization of the heating element coil at remote locations. The base container includes a rotatable locking member for releasable locking the tray insert to the base container. A light source on the base container coupled to a fiber-optic cable surrounding the periphery of the tray insert may be provided for illuminating the tray insert contents during conditions of limited light. A removable lid covers the tray insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Emily R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5272316
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for providing heat and a resting place for reptiles or the like. The heating apparatus includes a housing and a heating device located at a selected level within the interior of the housing. When the reptile rests on an upper surface of the housing and the heating device is activated, heat is conveyed to the upper surface by convection currents. The housing resembles a limb and branches to simulate the natural habitat of the reptile. The limb is held above the bottom surface of the enclosure containing the reptile. The limb is injection molded and includes two body halves that are matingly joined together after the heating device is desirably positioned relative to the body halves. The branches are movable relative to the limb and one of the branches includes a channel for concealing portions of the electrical cord connected to the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: M. Baines Chesnut
    Inventor: M. Gaines Chesnut
  • Patent number: 5256861
    Abstract: Medical waste, such as hypodermic syringes are placed in a disposable container constructed of single strength corrugated fiberboard with aluminum foil laminated to each surface. The container and used medical sharps are subjected to dry heat treatment at temperatures below the waste material flash point but of sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to melt the plastic syringe bodies. During the heating process the metal and rubber parts settle within the melted plastic with the aluminum foil layers preventing leakage from the container. Upon cooling the medical sharps are encapsulated in plastic and foil, as well as being sterile such that the container and contents may be discarded with ordinary waste products. The dry heat generator conveniently may be placed in a medical office or the like and is microprocessor controlled to obtain the desired end products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Frank H. Anthony
  • Patent number: 5252303
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing objects comprising a tubular container part which is removably arranged on an electric supply and control unit. The container part has a chamber-defining inner wall which is also an electrical resistance heating element. Accordingly, the container part may be made with low heat capacity and a correspondingly short heat-up period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Sven K. L. Goof
  • Patent number: 5248870
    Abstract: A heating device for warming the contents of bottles and other containers. The device has a casing in which a radiant heater is mounted and a container-receiving cylindrical insert in the casing in heat transfer relationship to the radiant heater. The insert is removable from the casing through an opening in the casing top to facilitate cleaning. The insert has an imperforate lower portion capable of intercepting and trapping any product which may drip or run down the container side and openings in an upper portion allowing air to circulate into convective heat transfer with the container. The closed base of the insert has a raised seat which spaces the bottom of the container above the insert base to allow air to circulate across the bottom of the insert and to prevent any product collected in the insert from soiling the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Marlyn Redal
  • Patent number: 5244486
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coiling fluorescent tubes, so that the tubes may be placed within a bulb. The apparatus includes a rotatable turntable having a plurality of ovens thereon. Each oven has a lever to enable the oven to be opened for placement of a fluorescent tube therein. A piston/cylinder assembly is mounted in proximity to the rotatable turntable and can selectively engage one of the levers for opening the corresponding oven. A ratchet assembly is provided for selectively rotating the turntable into positions where the piston/cylinder assembly in contact one of the levers and open the respective oven. A tube coiling screw is disposed in proximity to the turntable to enable coiling of a fluorescent tube thereabout after sufficient heating in one of the ovens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Shin Kwang Enterprise, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung D. Soo
  • Patent number: 5243171
    Abstract: In a food service system, prepared meals including chilled foods are assembled in individual meal trays (10) and held in the trays for a period prior to regeneration to prepare the food for heating. A control system of a rethermalizing trolley (12), which accommodates a large number of trays, can discern for itself which dishes (30) in the trays need heating and which are to remain cool. Dishes for hot and cold foods have white and black markings respectively, which results in reflected infra-red signals from sensors (42, 44) of the control system to be of discernably different strengths, so identifying the hot food dishes. Dish temperature is continually monitored by the control system by means of thermal contact with thermistors (46), which enables the system to oversee food temperatures both prior to and during regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Nasram Investments Limited
    Inventors: Simon J. Wood, Mark M. Gamble
  • Patent number: 5237913
    Abstract: A bread toaster includes a cooling system for the casing which includes structure for dividing the air flow rising in an air guide duct into a laminar part and a second part which is supplied to the upper region of the toasting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andrea Hahnewald, Stefan Schamberg
  • Patent number: 5231266
    Abstract: A towelette warmer for warming and dispensing premoistened, prepackaged disposable towelettes. Alternatively, it may be used to warm non-prepackaged disposable or reusable towelettes. The towelette warmer has a body that contains a watertight vessel and a temperature controlled electric heater. A first lid hinged to the vessel has an aperture through which towelettes are dispensed one at a time. A second lid hinged to the first lid closes the aperture when it is not in use. Other features that may be incorporated into the towelette warmer include a night light, an air freshener, a vaporizer or a music box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: Joan G. Warren
  • Patent number: 5229580
    Abstract: A device for holding multiple sample tubes for automatic temperature control has a block made of heat conductive material, a heating bore extending longitudinally through the block, and multiple sample tube wells. The block has a cross-section wherein a plurality of wells are positioned and arranged in relation to the bore such that the wells are substantially equidistant from the bore, thereby minimizing temperature gradients between the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Automated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Chioniere
  • Patent number: 5216944
    Abstract: A cover door structure is arranged for mounting to a top wall of a toaster assembly to selectively overlie the bread receiving slots directed through the top wall of the associated toaster for heat conservation and accelerated toasting of bread directed within the toaster structure. Manual or automatic cooperation of the doors are arranged relative to an associated toaster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventor: Arthur S. Trujillo
  • Patent number: 5210396
    Abstract: A baby wipe warmer apparatus to receive a baby wipe box therein to heat baby wipes and includes a wipe container assembly having a container heater assembly. The wipe container assembly includes a container body member with a container lid member pivotally connected thereto. The container heater assembly heats all sides of the baby wipe box. The container lid member has connector members whereupon it can be sealed to the container body member through zipper members or Velcro fasteners. The main lid body has a central dispenser opening which can be closed by Velcro fasteners or open to allow dispensing of baby wipes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Ronald L. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5208896
    Abstract: An electrically warmed baby bottle and recharging system are provided. The baby bottle is a container made of an electrically non-conductive material with a heating wire embedded in its walls. Mounted below the container is a temperature regulation system including a thermostat, a rechargeable battery and an on-off switch enclosed within a water-tight housing. The electrically warmed baby bottle fits into a battery charger which is designed with plug prongs which enter the water-tight housing through self-sealing ports so as to recharge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Alexander Katayev
  • Patent number: 5203252
    Abstract: A toaster with multi-function has a heating plate including two recess one of which is sized to receive a coffee cup thereon to warm up while the other recess is sized to receive an egg broiler which has a plurality of holes adapted two receive eggs thereon, a plurality of stands to support the broiler to stand on the recess, and a handle extending upwardly from the center portion thereof. A steam pot being formed by two half-rounded plates for frying egg each having a recess at center portion therreof adapted to receive an egg yellow while the flat portion surrounding the recess is adapted to receive egg white. A cap of a dome shape being sized to cover the egg broiler and the steam pot therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Tung-Chiang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5198638
    Abstract: A retractable battery tray includes a supporting structure, a tray assembly, and a heating device. The support structure of the battery tray generally spans and attaches to two spaced apart supporting base structures of a telecommunications equipment cabinet and supports the tray assembly therebetween. One or more batteries are supported and carried on a tray member of the tray assembly and vertically ganged heavy-duty horizontally extending slide rails movably attach the tray member to the support structure. A closure panel attaches to the spaced apart supporting base structures to retainably conceal the tray in a retracted position. Positioned in the tray underneath the battery, the heating device includes a thin sheet-like heating pad sandwiched between a protective plate therebelow and an insulating sheet thereabove. The insulating sheet retains heat from the heating pad within the tray. The protective plate prevents the batteries from damaging the heating pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Reliance Comm/Tec Corporation
    Inventor: Peter A. Massacesi
  • Patent number: 5189281
    Abstract: A rethermalization cart having at each food tray positions therein a pair of electrical heater pads positioned to controllably heat separate food servings on a food tray positioned in the cart. Mounted in each pad is a hollow dowel of thermochromic material and surrounded by a heat conductive sleeve. The color of the material is readily visible from outside of the cart to indicate whether the food associated with that pad is safely heated. A light bulb is connected to the electrical heating circuit of the pad so that when the circuit is "on" the bulb is lit. When lit, the bulb shines through the hollow dowel. The cart, when in position in a refrigerator unit, is plugged into an electrical receptacle in the unit. When the cart is moved in or out of the unit to access the trays, the cart becomes unplugged. Although the light bulb is thereby extinguished, if lit, the thermochromic dowel still indicates by its color the thermal condition of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Aladdin Synergetics, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Burk Wyatt, Kevin B. Cundiff, Kenneth R. Little, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5183994
    Abstract: A heated drug box for transporting emergency drugs and I. V. solutions at a safe working temperature wherein the medical supplies usually required first are accessible in a side compartment through door means in the side of the box. Other door means are provided in the top of the box through which a main compartment is accessible. The side and main compartments are in thermal contact with a heater means located between the side and main compartments for heating the contents of the box to a safe working temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventors: Dale D. Bowles, Sr., Charles L. Parmley
  • Patent number: 5182438
    Abstract: A food preparation and/or storage apparatus includes modular removable elements having a drawer with one connector for mechanical and electrical engagement with a heat only chamber and electrical connections to a removable heat transfer element. The heat transfer element also provides power from one removable heater to an adjacent removable heater. A shim positions a heat transfer element relative to a supporting drawer. A template releasably positions a center of each container directly above at least one heat transferring surface. A power connector includes a rubber-like grommet for tolerance in connecting to an external power source. A method of and an apparatus for adjusting the height of a plurality of vertically oriented shelves in a housing allows a plurality of vertically stacked shelves to be accessed from substantially the same height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Aladdin Synergetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger K. Oakes, Kevin B. Cundiff
  • Patent number: 5181455
    Abstract: An electric grilling appliance includes a pair of infrared radiation emitting heaters disposed within a housing on opposite sides of a food holder. The food holder includes a pair of metal food holder plates of a size and configuration to directly contact, on their inner surfaces, substantially the complete outer surface of the food article to be grilled. The outer surfaces of the metal food holder plates are blackened to absorb the infrared radiation emitted by the heaters. Springs urging the metal food holder plates towards each other into firm contact with the food article to be grilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Talbert Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 5173585
    Abstract: An electrically heated jacket for use on a video camera or the like which enables the camera to be used in cold temperatures. The jacket comprises a flexible member having heating elements embedded therein and which may be positioned around the camera and secured thereto by suitable connectors. The jacket conforms to the shape of the camera and has selectively closeable openings to provide access to various camera controls. The jacket is formed from a flat sheet of insulative material with a forward flap operable to selectively cover the lens on the camera. Flaps along opposing side edges of the sheet will wrap over the top of the camera to permit a handle on the camera to project from the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Brian L. Dokken
  • Patent number: 5171087
    Abstract: A heated support stand is provided for supporting a stethoscope in a convenient and ready-to-use position. The support stand comprises a night light unit having a low wattage bulb disposed behind a protective shade, wherein the shade has a size and shape to receive and support the chestpiece of a stethoscope in close proximity to the bulb. The bulb radiates sufficient heat to warm the chestpiece to a comforable temperature compatible with a patient's body temperature, thus eliminating patient shock and/or discomfort caused by placement of a cold instrument onto the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Richard D. Green
  • Patent number: 5159177
    Abstract: A container for transporting hot ready-to-eat meals and for keeping them hot is of a box-like configuration having heat-insulating walls, with an access door of non-insulating nature. Formed at the lower edge of the door is an access opening for ambient air, while an outlet opening for air to issue from the container is formed at the upper edge of the door. The flow of air into the access opening, through the interior of the container and out of the outlet opening, entrains moisture given off by the ready-to-eat meals in the container, the moisture condensing out on the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Alois Kinberger
  • Patent number: 5149942
    Abstract: A, completely non-fogging mirror device, for use in high heat/humidity environments, such as a shower. This device has a relatively permanent storage/heating housing and a portable mirror unit that fits within a cavity in the housing unit, this portable mirror unit having a reflective surface. The reflective surface is heated by transferring heat from a heating element within a storage housing, the heater element being energized from a power supply. Actual heating of the reflective surface is from a reservoir of liquid permanently stored within the mirror unit such that the reflective surface retains an elevated temperature to prevent fogging while the liquid remains hot. A thermostat is provided to regulate the temperature of the heater element, and thus the liquid. Also, there is provided a timer unit with an optional sound-producing unit to govern the heating time. An accessory unit is described that permits hanging the mirror unit, after heating, in any location in the environment where is will be useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: James A. Garrett
  • Patent number: 5148004
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus and method for contaminated syringe needles includes an elongated heating tube having a central bore capable of receiving only the needle of a syringe assembly and which is heated by electrical resistance material surrounding the tube. Precise regulation over the interval and level of heating of the tube is provided through a power controller associated with logic circuitry, switches and a series of timers sequentially initiated. In this manner, should a fault in the apparatus exist and the temperature within the heating tube not reach at least 900 degrees F. within the duration of the cycle of a first one of the timers, the power controller interrupts passage of current to the heating tube. On the other hand, when this temperature is achieved during the time cycle of the first timer, a second timer is initiated and allows continued passage of current to the heating tube for a prescribed interval calculated to achieve the desired sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Gettig Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Gettig, Larry E. Shook
  • Patent number: 5146065
    Abstract: An electricity supply device, connected to an electric contact of a heater on a tray, is disposed on the side wall at the upper part of a support member which supports and guides a tray and which is formed on the side wall of a receiving chamber. The electricity supply device has a) a conductive plate spring placed in pressure contact with an electric contact of a heater and b) a conductive pin connected to a power source and is embedded into a plastic mold. The plastic mold is disposed into a casing which is mounted to the side wall of the receiving chamber to secure an insulating property. The plate spring makes positive contact with a contact of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Motoki
  • Patent number: 5140136
    Abstract: A container is provided having a hinged lid; a heating element in the container includes a fabric having resistance wires woven into it. The fabric has selvedges, each containing a conductor to which the resistance wires are connected in parallel. The heating element is flexibly deformable and is stretched by tensioning elements. An article placed on the heating element is urged into intimate contact with it by a resiliently deformable pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Fibre Treatment (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian N. Fellows, Godfrey P. Mountain