Abstract: A heatable article, e.g. a heatable windshield, having a generally trapezoidal shape has a conductive member, e.g. a conductive coating, between and in contact with a pair of spaced bus bars having different lengths. Selected portions of the coating between the bus bars are segmented to reduce the difference in watt density between the coatings at the bus bars when current moves through the coating. In one non-limiting embodiment, the width of the segments at the longer bus bar is less than the width of the segments at the longer bus bar. With this configuration, the watt density at the bottom of the windshield is increased to more efficiently remove ice and snow. In another non-limiting embodiment, the coating has a communication window to pass frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g. RF frequencies, to obtain information from within the vehicle.

Abstract: A vane provided with at least one spindle, the at least one spindle configured to engage in operation with a support such that in operation the vane pivots about the at least one spindle. The vane is further provided with an electrically operable heater which is communicable with an electrical supply via an electrical connection node located in the at least one spindle. The electrical connection node comprises a female portion and a corresponding male portion. The support is defined by a casing.

Abstract: A heater assembly heats media substrate in a printing system prior to imprinting a desired image on the substrate. A plate member engages the substrate and communicates thermal energy thereto for the heating. A laminar assembly is adhered to the plate member and includes a trace pattern for converting electrical energy to the thermal energy. A thermal storage member is interposed between the plate member and the trace pattern for distributing thermal energy throughout the thermal storage member. Two thermal fuses are serially connected, one at each end of the trace pattern and disposed relative to the thermal storage member for detecting an undesired temperature increase in the laminar assembly sufficient for opening the fuses and electrically isolating the heater assembly against a consequential thermal run-away causing insulation degradation and an electrical short between the trace pattern and the plate member.

Abstract: In order to create a heating device which can operate in different power stages, but only has to be contacted from one side, the invention provides a heating device with at least two plate-like ceramic heating elements, which are electrically contacted on opposite flat sides and on at least one side is provided at least one flat, electrical conductor, in which on one side of the elements there are at least two conductors electrically insulated from one another, each of the conductors being in contact with at least one heating element.

Abstract: A ceramic heater is provided which may be employed in a gas sensor. The ceramic heater includes a heating element disposed inside a ceramic body, a connector assembly, and a cover coating. The connector assembly consists of an external terminal, a connector terminal, and a metallic joint layer. The external terminal is affixed to an outer surface of the ceramic body in electrical connection with the heating element. The joint layer is formed on the external terminal to establish an electrical joint between the external terminal and the connector terminal. The cover coating is wrapped over a surface of the connector assembly and made of a metallic material containing a main component of one of Au, Pt, and Cr, thereby ensuring a corrosion resistance of the connector assembly.

Abstract: A solid state heater uses a heater subassembly employing a terminal block, terminals and a PTCR or NTCR heater. The terminals engage and make electrical contact with the heater, thus eliminating the need for a rigid heater housing. The heater subassembly can be formed into a soft body or rigid body heater for heating purposes. The soft body heater uses a soft casing that envelops the heater subassembly with the casing expanding upon heating to provide a snug fit during use. The heater subassembly can be inserted in the cavity of either a soft body or a rigid body with potting compound filling any remaining voids, and the rigid or soft body can then be used for heating purposes.

Abstract: A heating element for placing on a pipe or nozzle comprises a current-carrying conductor connectable by means of connecting leads to a power supply. Each of the connecting leads has a terminal contact piece which can be engaged with a contact surface of the heating element. The contact piece can be clamped against the heating element by means of a clamping device. The contact piece rests loosely on the contact surface and the clamping force of the clamping device acts in a substantially normal manner to the contact surface and clamps the contact piece against said contact surface.

Abstract: A connection endpiece placed on a resistor element provided with at least one layer of electrically-conductive fibers, the endpiece serving to connect a power supply wire electrically to the resistor element. The endpiece includes at least one metal plate having a top face for connection to the power supply wire, and provided with at least one rigid metal connector member of substantially flat shape arranged at a first end of the metal plate and connected to at least one layer of electrically-conductive fibers of the resistor element, the top face of the metal plate being covered in a removable anti-adhesive covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric heater, which electrically and mechanically protects heating means from the outside, increases heating value and thermal conductivity by increasing contact efficiency among components, and improves assembly efficiency and productivity. The electric heater includes: a plurality of radiation members, each having a radiation fin and a radiation fin supporting plate surrounding the radiation fin and formed integrally with the radiation fin by brazing; a plurality of flat tubes arranged between the radiation members and having heating means therein for generating heat when electric power is supplied; first and second support frames oppositely arranged at sides of the outermost radiation members for supporting and fixing the radiation members and the flat tubes; and first and second caps for supporting both end portions of the first and second support frames and both end portions of the flat tubes.

Abstract: A tubular heater that is manually bendable to fit into a channel comprises a heating element positioned in an insulative material such as magnesium oxide and encased in a continuous inner nickel tubular sheathing. An outer sheathing, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a coil of copper with a nickel coating swaged such that the cross-section of a strand of the coil is generally rectangular. The invention also includes the method of manufacturing and method of use of the tubular heater. Alternate embodiments include an outer tubular sheath that has a multiplicity of slits extending in a circumferential direction through the outer sheathing and the outer sheathing swaged directly on the inner sheathing. A further embodiment includes the outer tubular sheathing formed from a multiplicity of individual rings, the outer sheath could be swaged directly on the inner sheath.

Abstract: An all season fan with heated circulating blades includes heating elements mounted in slots defined in the rear surface of the fan blades for heating of air blown outwardly therefrom. Resilient biasing devices such as a bow springs are mounted in the fan blades extending over the slots to retain the heating elements in the slots. Electrically conductive ball bearings are included to facilitate rotation of the fan blade and hub while simultaneously providing electrical power to the heating elements during fan rotation. At least two bearings each individually maintain separate electrically conductive abutment respect to two separate conductive rings mounted in an insulating insert within the fan hub. Each ring is electrically conductive with respect to one end of each heating element for heating thereof during fan rotation.

Abstract: A heater including: a rod-shaped ceramic heater including: a ceramic heater body extending in an axial direction and having a heating-element at its leading end portion for generating heat when energized; and first and second energizing lead terminals extending from the heating element and exposed to an outer circumference of a trailing end side of the ceramic heater body; a cylindrical outer cylinder for holding the ceramic heater while protruding a leading end portion and a trailing end portion of the ceramic heater; and a core rod arranged on said trailing end side of the ceramic heater in an axial direction and connected electrically with the first lead terminal, wherein the heater further includes: a ring member including: a ring leading end portion fixed by a tight fitting on an outer circumference of a trailing end side of the ceramic heater and connected electrically with the first lead terminal; and a ring trailing end portion protruding backward from a trailing end of the ceramic heater; and a metal

Abstract: A heated window with an electrically conducting surface coating that may be electrically connected as a heating element to a voltage source using a first and a second current-collecting rail and that is split into a first part, a heated look-through region, and a second part, an additional heated region. In the heated window at least two current-collecting rails are arranged in the additional heated region so that the direction in which the current flows in the additional heated region is roughly perpendicular to the direction in which the current flows in the heated look-through region.

Abstract: A surface mountable PTC device includes a PTC layer, first and second electrodes formed on the PTC layer, first and second insulating layers formed respectively on the first and second electrodes, and first and second terminals connected respectively and electrically to the first and second electrodes. Each of the first and second electrodes is formed with a hole. Each of the first and second insulating layers fills the electrode hole in the respective one of the first and second electrodes and is formed with an insulating hole surrounded by the electrode hole. Each of the first and second terminals extends through the insulating hole in the respective one of the first and second insulating layers.

Abstract: In a heater in which an electrically insulating material (4) including an oxide is filled between a heating element (2) made of metal including chromium and aluminum and a cover (3, 5, 6) for sealing the heating element (2), and in which a lead wire (7, 8) of the heating element (2) extends through a portion (5, 6) of an electrical insulator of the cover (3, 5, 6) in order to enable the heater to be used at temperatures higher than the prior art, an oxide film including aluminum oxide is formed on the surface of the heating element (2). The portion of the cover (3, 5, 6) excluding the portion (5, 6) serving as an electrical insulator is a metal pipe (3) that serves as a sheath and includes nickel and chromium, and an oxide film is formed on the surface of the metal pipe (3). Therefore, the heater can be used in dies for plastic forming or the like.

Abstract: An igniter having an igniter element, a bushing, adhesive and sealant is provided. The igniter element has a polarizing key for generating heat at a high temperature. The bushing is inserted on an outside of one end of the igniter element. The adhesive is placed in a bushing cavity for bonding the bushing with the igniter element. The sealant covers both the bushing and the adhesive placed in the cavity of the bushing thereby joining the bushing and adhesive and improving joining structures of components.

Abstract: The electrically heated hand grip includes a hand grip, a heating member disposed within the hand grip, an end cap assembly removably attached to the hand grip, and an electrical switch coupled to a power source for controlling the supply of current to the heating member. The end cap assembly includes a receptacle for receiving the power source and an electrical connecting means. The end cap assembly may include a light-emitting diode and a charging means. In an alternative embodiment, the electrically heated hand grip includes a resilient strip having a heating member attached to an interior surface of the resilient strip to form a heating strip. The heating strip is spirally wrapped about a grip-receiving portion of a shaft. An end cap assembly is coupled to the end of a shaft to secure a portion of the heating strip. The heated hand grip can include a sleeve which is inserted on the end of a shaft and the heating strip is spirally wrapped about the sleeve.

Abstract: An automotive transparency having a heatable wiper rest area includes a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet secured together by an interlayer material. An opaque band is positioned on the inner surface of the outer glass sheet along a portion of an edge of the outer sheet at an expected wiper rest areas; and an electrically conductive member is positioned on a major surface of the second glass sheet and extends along an edge portion of the second sheet at the wiper rest area. A plurality of bus bars positioned in electrical contact along the conductive member divides the conductive member into a plurality of heatable areas with a first lead electrically interconnecting selected ones of the bus bars and a second lead electrically interconnecting other selected ones of the bus bars with overlying portions of the first and second leads electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A thermally efficient resistive heater assembly for heating a source substance for generation of gas has a chamber for containing the source substance, a thin resistive heating element suspended across an aperture and disposed for immersion in the source substance, and conductive traces electrically coupled to the thin resistive heating element. The resistive heater assembly may be fabricated by a specially adapted method including providing a first substrate layer, bonding to it a second substrate layer, the second substrate layer bearing the resistive heating element and conductive traces, bonding to that an optional hydrophobic layer if necessary, and bonding to the previous layer a top layer. At least one of the layers may include manifolding for the gas. All or part of the fabrication method may be performed as a reel-to-reel process.

Abstract: A device for connecting a source of electrical power to a coating or film incorporating carbon particles, an objective met by providing a coating of a nickel compound to the coating or film of carbon particles, and applying to the nickel coating a tin-copper tape coated with a silver-loaded conductive adhesive. What results is a uniform heating effect over a relatively wide area, substantially free from hot and cold spots or areas.

Abstract: An object to provide a hot plate making it possible to heat an object to be heated uniformly, and the hot plate of the present invention is characterized in that a resistance element having a thickness dispersion of ±3 ?m or less is formed on an insulating substrate.

Abstract: A device for heating air, fluids and materials, in dry or wet environments powered in low voltage current or alternating or direct very safe allowable voltage, by increasing the temperature of any type of surface, whether flat or embossed, solid or open-work. The device includes electrodes coated with a layer of electrically resistant fluid or pasty substance. The assembly of devices is very thin, and is particularly designed for heating premises, swimming pools, pipes exposed to freezing, and container for warm food.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic heater so that hot spots around the end portions of a heat resistor may be prevented. A ceramic heater has a ceramic substrate having a mounting face for an object to be heated, a heat resistor 3B embedded in the substrate and having end portions 3a, and a connecting member 6 electrically connected with the end portion 3a. At least one connecting member 6 substantially has an outer shape of a sphere, an ellipsoid of revolution, or a cylinder. The connecting member 6 has a fixing portion 3a of the heat resistor by means of caulking.

Abstract: A composite laminate useable in the manufacture of articles having a member responsive to electrical stimuli, e.g. changes transmission, and/or is heated, as current passes through the member includes a pair of spaced bus bars adhesively secured to a major surface of a plastic sheet in a spaced relationship to one another. Each of the bus bars includes, among other things, an end portion having a protective sleeve and an air barrier to prevent air from moving between the inner surfaces of the protective sleeve and the underlying surface of the end portion of the bus bar. A method of making the composite laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon heating apparatus utilizing a graphite felt and a method of manufacturing thereof are presented comprising: a carbon heater made of a carbon fiber cut having a preset length and width, being performed heat treatment in a hydrogen gas atmosphere, a pair of terminal parts having a flat portion (31) at one end for connecting to outside power supply lines and clamping brackets (32) with protrusions (33) at opposite end for securely attaching to the carbon heater, and a quartz glass tube (10) with melt-jointing potions (15) for sealing both ends of the carbon heater.

Abstract: An automotive glazing panel has an electrically heatable solar control coating layer, spaced first and second bus bars adapted to relay electrical power to the coating layer. The glazing panel is provided with at least two, spaced data transmission windows positioned at least partially in contact with the heatable solar control coating layer which are separated by a portion of the glazing panel which is in electrical contact with the electrically heatable solar control coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber preform-heating furnace that is simple in its structure and excellent in uniformity of the temperature distribution in a circumferential direction of an optical fiber preform. The optical fiber preform-heating furnace includes a furnace core tube into which an optical fiber preform is supplied; a heater that surrounds the furnace core tube; a pair of electrode connection portions with which the heater is provided and has a face opposing to an outer periphery surface of the furnace core tube; and electrode portions that are disposed to each of the electrode connection portions and connected to a power supply. When a cylindrical heat insulator is disposed between the furnace core tube and the opposing faces, since an outward heat transfer amount from the furnace core tube side through the electrode portion can be reduced, the temperature distribution in a circumferential direction of the optical fiber preform can be improved in its uniformity.

Abstract: Robust ceramic igniters are provided that include an improved sealing system which can significantly enhance operational life of the igniter. Preferred igniters comprise a conductive cold zone and hot zone with higher resisitivity. A hermetic sealant material covers one or more electrical connections on the of each cold zone, thus shielding the electrical connections from environmental exposure, and thereby avoiding igniter failure resulting from electrical shorts and/or undesired oxidation.

Abstract: Opposing substrates of a vehicle window are laminated to one another using a polymer inclusive interlayer which has a notch or cut-out portion defined therein. Following lamination, at least one bus bar(s) supported by one of the substrates is exposed in this notch or cut-out portion of the interlayer. Then, an external connector may be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) at a location between the opposed substrates, by sliding a portion of the connector into a gap between the two laminated substrates at a location where the bus bar(s) is exposed due to the notch or cut-out in the interlayer. Because the connector can be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) after the lamination process, various techniques (e.g., nipper rolls, vacuum apparatus, etc.) may be used to laminate the substrates to one another prior to this electrical connection.

Abstract: A power supply unit for a fusing roller of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is electrically connected to a heat-generating portion for generating heat to raise the temperature of the fusing roller to an appropriate level at which a toner image is fused and for transmitting electric current from an external power source to the heat-generating portion, includes: a connecting portion installed at a center of each of two end caps fit around ends of the fusing roller and electrically connected to the heat-generating portion; a holder connected to the connecting portion, the holder installed in a frame, the frame supporting or mounting the fusing roller, and an elastic unit for providing elastic force to make the holder elastically contact the connecting portion. The power supply unit provides improved durability and operating safety under electrical and mechanical stresses caused by current, residual heat and thermal impacts.

Abstract: A low wattage slow cooker featuring a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls of the cooking vessel and a top heating element for browning food items is disclosed. The top browning element is integrated into a lid assembly of the cooker and is provided with quick connect/disconnect electrical connectors, which provide for convenient removal of the lid assembly for food service, cleaning, and storage. The wrap-around heating element and the top heating element are interconnected by a controller for heat regulation and selectively energizing the desired heating elements individually or in combination. The wrap-around heating element and the top heating elements are constructed in alternative embodiments utilizing different configurations of resistance wiring for versatility in manufacturing and cooking applications. All embodiments of the present slow cooker are provided with a heatproof ceramic or glass cooking liner, which acts as an heat insulator.

Abstract: A roasting oven having a large capacity heating well including a wrap-around heating element for heating the side walls thereof and a top heating element for browning. A function control panel featuring a touch-film interface and digital display of cooking modes is provided for the user's convenience. The heating elements are fabricated in alternative embodiments to provide single-sided or double-sided configurations for particular heating applications. A lid member including the top heating element is attached to the roasting oven by electrically conductive supporting structures, which incorporate the electrical circuit for the top heating element and also provide for convenient disconnection thereof for cleaning and storage. In an alternative embodiment the top heating element is omitted to reduce manufacturing costs and standard electromechanical switches and temperature controls provide the functions of the oven.

Abstract: An infrared ray lamp having a structure wherein a groove is formed in the vicinity of each of both end portions of a substantially plate heating element formed of a carbon-based substance, a carbon-based adhesive is applied to a region including the groove, and the end portion of the heating element is inserted into a slit formed at the end portion of a heat-emitting block having high conductivity so as to be sandwiched; by forming a reflection film on the glass tube of the infrared ray lamp, an infrared ray lamp having a desired emission intensity distribution is provided; a heating apparatus using this infrared ray lamp and method of producing the infrared ray lamp are also provided.

Abstract: In a glow plug configured such that a metallic, tubular member having a heater fixedly provided therein is joined to a metallic shell, an external-thread portion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the metallic shell so as to allow the glow plug to be screwed into a plug-mounting hole formed in an engine head. An annular protrusion is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the metallic, tubular member in such a manner as to protrude radially outward, to annularly extend in the circumferential direction, and to be located in the vicinity of a distal end of the metallic shell. A distally-facing end face of the annular protrusion abuts an annular seat face in the mounting hole, and the metallic, tubular member and the metallic shell are joined such that a distal end face of the metallic shell abuts a rearward-facing end face of the annular protrusion.

Abstract: An electric belly-band heater includes at least one conduit fitting housing. The housing is located on the heater to surround one or more lead wires and provide a securement point for a conduit end. The conduit end can be secured to the housing using the appropriate fittings so that the lead wire exiting the heater sheath is totally encased in the conduit to meet installation codes.

Abstract: The present invention in situ reconfigures connections within an electric circuit, such that a previously open circuit becomes a permanent in situ electrical pathway. A heat-activated electrical coupling comprises a heat-activated coupler and a heater. The heat-activated coupler comprises a preform of a material that changes a physical or electrical state in response to heat from the heater to bridge a gap between separate but adjacent ends of respective circuit traces. An in situ reconfigurable circuit comprises the heat-activated electrical coupling, a fusible link, a primary circuit and a secondary or back-up circuit. An in situ recoverable electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit comprises the heat-activated electrical coupling, a primary ESD protection portion, and a secondary or back-up ESD protection portion. A method of in situ reconfiguring a circuit comprises creating the heat-activated electrical coupling and activating the electrical coupling with heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature heater device (1) including at least one heater element (2), and current leads (20, 21) for powering the heater element(s) (2), said device being characterized in that it operates in any position, and in that each of the heater elements comprises at least one thin graphite strip (2) connected at its ends to the current leads by means of refractory conductive connection elements (3) made of molybdenum.

Abstract: A heated bridge deck (20) uses electrodes (24, 26) embedded within conductive concrete and connected to a power source to remove snow and ice accumulation. A cement-based mixture containing optimal amounts of conductive materials is molded into pre-formed slabs (22) placed atop the paved surface of a bridge deck. Alternatively, the conductive concrete may be cast in place on top of an existing bridge deck. A control unit with temperature and moisture sensors may be coupled to the heated bridge deck.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to relieving the stresses caused by a mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion in the components forming the connections at the terminals of a heater. In one embodiment, a heater comprises a heater body having an electrical heating element and a bottom surface, and a rod configured to be coupled with an electrical power source. A plug has a first end which is coupled to the heater body and extends into the heater body through the bottom surface of the heater body, and which is electrically connected with the electrical heating element. The plug has a second end which includes a cavity to receive a portion of the rod. The cavity is surrounded by a slotted side wall of the plug which is disposed outside of the heater body and includes a plurality of slots extending from the second end toward the bottom surface of the heater body and terminating near the bottom surface but before reaching the bottom surface.

Abstract: A paint scraper is provided, with the blade being heated by electrical heating elements within the blade, or in other embodiments, by heated air being discharge from the handle onto the blade. A variety of different blade designs are described. The scraper consists of a hand held unit into which the blade is plugged. A dial is provided on the unit to set the temperature of the blade.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly is provided. The heater assembly includes an electrically operable heating element and a pair of power leads for supplying electrical power to the heating element. Each of the power leads is connected to a respective end of the heating element by a connector. A watertight seal is provided at the connection of each power lead to the heating element. Each watertight seal includes a sealing sleeve arranged over the respective connector and a sealing compound provided between the sealing sleeve and the respective connector. The heating element, the connectors and the watertight seals are arranged in a housing. The housing includes a pair of openings with each power lead extending through a respective one of the pair of openings. Each of the openings has a rounded smooth edge defined by a portion of the housing that is folded back on itself.

Abstract: A ceramic heater for a semiconductor producing/inspecting device which makes it possible to realize an even temperature distribution in a semiconductor wafer without corroding external terminals, wires and the like of the ceramic heater in the process of producing a semiconductor. The ceramic heater for a semiconductor producing/inspecting device includes a ceramic substrate and a resistance heating element formed inside the ceramic substrate, wherein a power feeding terminal is exposed and formed at the outside of a wafer-heating region in the ceramic substrate.

Abstract: In order to create a heating device which can operate in different power stages, but only has to be contacted from one side, the invention provides a heating device with at least two plate-like ceramic heating elements, which are electrically contacted on opposite flat sides and on at least one side is provided at least one flat, electrical conductor, in which on one side of the elements there are at least two conductors electrically insulated from one another, each of the conductors being in contact with at least one heating element.

Abstract: A joint structure which does not exhibit impaired joining strength induced by exposure to heat cycles and the occurrence of migration, in a ceramic heater for a glow plug or like device. A heating element 6 is embedded in a silicon nitride ceramic substrate 5. Lead wires 15 are joined to corresponding lead wire connection terminals 11, which are connected to the heating element 6 while electrical continuity is established therebetween, by use of a brazing metal 20 which contains a predominant amount of copper. The brazing metal 20 used for joining assumes the form of a brazing metal layer having a thickness of 30-400 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A heatable laminate includes a first substrate; an electrically conductive member on a portion of the first substrate; a pair of spaced bus bars each bus bar being in electrical contact with the electrically conductive member; a second substrate overlaying and the electrically conductive member and bus bars; an interlayer positioned between the two substrates; a first leads connected to one of bus bars and a second lead connected to the other bus bar, each lead having an end extending beyond the periphery of the first substrate to provide external electrical access to the bus bars; an electrically non-conductive sleeve over selected portions of each of the lead; and air barriers along selected portions of the sleeve to prevent air from enter between the substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for operably connecting an electrical source to a conductive coating or film. The apparatus may include a substrate made of a structural material. A conductive coating or thin film may be applied to the substrate. An interface layer may be applied over the conductive coating and conduct electricity thereto while transferring insufficient force to separate the conductive coating from the substrate. A conductor, for providing electricity to the interface layer comprising strands configured to be separable and electrically conductive, may be positioned in contact with the interface layer. A clamping mechanism may apply a clamping load urging the conductor toward the conductive coating. The strands of the conductor may be formed to distribute mechanical stress and strain induced by thermal expansion and the clamping load sufficiently to substantially reduce damage to the mechanical and electrical integrity of the conductive coating.

Abstract: A ceramic heater including a ceramic body and a heating element buried in the ceramic body under the surface of thereof is provided, wherein metal pads are disposed on the outside of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the heating element, outer leads are joined by a braze layer onto a metal plated layer covering each of the pads, and the braze layer contains an amount of 500 ppm or less by weight of palladium in a brazing metal material based on Au, Cu, or Ni. The plated layer may be formed on the surface of the metal pads which have been activated with an activating solution containing an amount of 90 ppm of less by weight of Pd, in order to reduce the Pd content as defined above in the braze layer, preventing the braze layer from being cracked and enhancing the useful life of the ceramic heater.

Abstract: A stove (10) comprising a baking muffle (12) is disclosed. Within the baking muffle (12) guide means (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) for receiving at least one heatable cooking bowl (22) are provided, wherein the cooking bowl (22) comprises a substrate layer, in particular a bottom, at the outside of which a directly heatable heating layer is provided which is coated by an insulating layer (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A radiant energy device for shrinking a thin film onto an open top of a container, the radiant energy device comprising: a source of power, to provide power to the radiant energy device; a plurality of fixed energy-emitting units, each of the units when energized being configured to emit radiant energy towards the shrinking film on said open top of the container; and a switching means, operatively connected between the source of power and each of the energy-emitting units, to independently activate at least two groups of the energy-emitting units; wherein, a first group of the energy-emitting units partially shrinks the thin film onto the container, and a second group finishes the shrinking.

Abstract: A heater has a cylindrical metallic shell, a heater body partly disposed in a front end portion of the metallic shell, an electrode disposed in a rear portion of the metallic shell and electrically connected to the heater body, and a terminal adapted to be capped with an electric connector. The terminal includes a terminal body for power supply to the heater body through the electrode and an engaging portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the terminal body so as to be engageable with the electric connector. The electrode and the terminal body are formed integrally with each other. Such a heater can maintain good electrical conduction from the terminal to the heater body with its simple structure throughout an extended period of time.