Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma generation apparatus, which comprises a microwave generation section adapted to generate a microwave, a gas supply section adapted to supply a gas to be plasmatized, a plasma generation nozzle which is provided with an inner electrode adapted to receive the microwave and an outer electrode concentrically disposed outside the inner electrode, and adapted to plasmatize the gas supplied from the gas supply section thereinto, based on energy of the microwave, and emit the plasmatized gas from a distal end thereof; and an adapter attached to the distal end of the plasma generation nozzle.

Abstract: A door structure of a microwave oven usable as a pizza oven, wherein a pan is coupled to an inner surface of the door such that the pan is integral with the door, and a handle is mounted to an outer surface of the door. The handle has various structures so that the handle is separable from the door or is hingably mounted to the door to move between a folded state and an unfolded state. The door structure, may be configured to simultaneously open the door and eject the pan. The user can stably open and close the pizza oven door, using only a handle, under the condition in which the pizza oven door and pizza tray are not supported. The handle has a structure capable of effectively supporting the weight of the oven door while having a foldable structure so that the handle can be conveniently used.

Abstract: A door structure of a microwave oven usable as a pizza oven, wherein a pan is coupled to an inner surface of the door such that the pan is integral with the door, and a handle is mounted to an outer surface of the door. The handle has various structures so that the handle is separable from the door or is hingably mounted to the door to move between a folded state and an unfolded state. The door structure may be configured to simultaneously open the door and eject the pan. The user can stably open and close the pizza oven door, using only a handle, under the condition in which the pizza oven door and pizza tray are not supported. The handle has a structure capable of effectively supporting the weight of the oven door while having a foldable structure so that the handle can be conveniently used.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for removing volatiles from a saturated adsorbent is provided. The heating apparatus can include a vessel including a first end and a second end. The vessel can be adapted to receive the saturated adsorbent. The heating apparatus can also include a channel in communication with the first end of the vessel and a radiation source that provides energy to heat the vessel. The heating apparatus can further comprise a lateral waveguide coupled to the radiation source and disposed within the channel to transmit the energy from the radiation source to the vessel to heat the saturated adsorbent disposed within the vessel.

Abstract: Toaster cum microwave oven having a heater for toasting bread, including a memory for storing a voltage level to a heater according to the function of the toaster the user selects, a temperature sensor for sensing an inside temperature of the toaster, and a microcomputer for controlling a toasting time period according to a kind and a toasting level of bread the user selects, and an inside temperature of the toaster, and controlling the microwave oven according to a command received through the first key input part, thereby permitting toasting bread to a desired degree of toasting regardless of the inside temperature and continued user of the toaster.

Abstract: A complex home appliance and a method of controlling and installing the same. The complex home appliance includes a single power supply unit shared by two or more component home appliances of the complex home appliance. The two or more component home appliances are controlled by a single control unit of the complex home appliance. The complex home appliance can be operated in a simultaneous operation mode in which the two or more component home appliances are simultaneously operable, and an individual operation mode in which only one of the two or more component home appliances is operable. The complex home appliance includes a mode-setting unit to set the simultaneous or individual operation mode. The complex home appliance includes a power cut-off unit which supplies power to the single power supply unit and cuts off the supply of the power in response to being electrically opened at the time of an electrical overload.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined toaster and microwave oven having a function to cook food by using microwave and a function to bake bread. Accordingly, the present invention provides a combined toaster and microwave oven comprising: a body forming an appearance thereof; a cavity formed in the body, for accommodating objects to be cooked by using microwave; an electronic chamber provided at a portion inside the body and in which electronic parts for applying microwave into the cavity are installed; and a toaster. The toaster comprises: a toaster case provided in the front of the electronic chamber and having slits on both sides thereof; at least one tray assembly having means for receiving and ejecting bread and preventing the bread from slanting; and a heater assembly installed inside the toaster case, for heating the bread.

Abstract: Toaster cum microwave oven having a heater for toasting bread, including a memory for storing a voltage level to a heater according to the function of the toaster the user selects, a temperature sensor for sensing an inside temperature of the toaster, and a microcomputer for controlling a toasting time period according to a kind and a toasting level of bread the user selects, and an inside temperature of the toaster, and controlling the microwave oven according to a command received through the first key input part, thereby permitting toasting bread to a desired degree of toasting regardless of the inside temperature and continued user of the toaster.

Abstract: A system and method is provided in which a radio frequency transmitter and/or a microwave frequency transmitter applies radio and/or microwave frequency energy, respectively, to an imprinted material to cure the imprinted material. In some embodiments, an oven may be used to apply thermal energy to the imprinted material in conjunction with the radio and/or microwave frequency energy to cure the imprinted material. In other embodiments, an oven is not used. The imprinted material may also include a susceptor that absorbs radio and/or microwave frequency energy and responsive thereto emits thermal energy to aid in curing the imprinted material. Further, at least one susceptor may be located externally and adjacent to the imprinted material. The external susceptor may absorb radio and/or microwave frequency energy, respectively, and responsive thereto emits thermal energy towards the imprinted material to aid in curing the imprinted material.

Abstract: A susceptor for a microwave hybrid heating system is provided, including a hollow member made of a heat resistant material that does not substantially absorb or reflect microwave energy at room temperature and a substance contained within the hollow member. The substance substantially immediately couples to microwave energy at room temperature to form a plasma that emits radiant energy substantially immediately. A microwave hybrid heating system and a continuous microwave hybrid heating system including at least one susceptor according to the present invention are provided, as well as a method for sintering ceramic members using a microwave hybrid heating system according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined toaster and microwave oven that can obtain uniformly toasted slices of bread even when the slices of the bread are toasted successively several times. The combined toaster and microwave oven includes a key input unit for selecting user's favorite kind of the bread and baking level, a memory for storing heating time of the heaters according to the favorite kind of the bread and the favorite baking level, a temperature sensor for sensing internal temperature of the toaster, a controller for counting an elapsed time for the heaters to operate after the heaters stop and adjusting the heating time of the heaters according to the counted time and the internal temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A combined microwave/frying apparatus includes a frying device, a microwave-generating device, and a supporting member. The frying device includes a housing having an oil groove in an upper end thereof, the oil groove having an upwardly facing opening. The microwave-generating device includes a body having a rear end pivotally connected to a top of the housing, allowing the body to pivot relative to the housing of the frying device between an open position and a closed position. The microwave-generating device generates microwaves for heating food that is being fried in oil in the oil groove. The supporting member supports the body of the microwave-generating device in the open position. The food can be heated more uniformly in the surface and in the interior of the food. The time for frying the food is shortened while obtaining crisp fried food.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a toaster includes a toaster casing, a heating chamber inserted in the toaster casing, a bread receiver slidably inserted in the toaster casing, and a toaster door attached to a front side of the bread receiver. The bread receiver is selectively placed in the heating chamber. The microwave oven further includes a crumb tray slidably inserted in the toaster casing for collecting crumbs of bread and a holding unit for holding bread put in the bread receiver. The crumb tray is placed under the bread receiver. Further, there is provided a process for controlling a heater of the toaster, which is capable of properly baking bread even when the toaster is continually operated.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a first dielectric that is connected to a microwave generating unit, the first dielectric having a section that extends along a surface of a rectangular sample, and that makes an electric field strength distribution of the microwaves generated from the microwave generating unit substantially uniform along the surface of the sample; a slot plate that is provided below the first dielectric and in which a plurality of first slots are formed, the slot plate retaining or further enhancing the uniformity of the electric field strength distribution of the microwaves in the first dielectric; a second dielectric that is provided below the slot plate and that retains or further enhances the uniformity of the electric field strength distribution of the microwaves supplied from the slot plate; and a processing unit that processes the sample using a plasma generated in the reaction vessel by the microwaves.

Abstract: A cooling structure for an oven door of a microwave oven usable as a pizza oven, which includes air inlet perforations formed through a portion of a chamber partition wall contacting one side section of the oven door to communicate with an electric device installation chamber, and thus, to receive ambient air, air inlet perforations formed through the side section of the oven door, the inlet perforations having the same shape as the first air inlet perforations such that the second air inlet perforations are aligned with the first air inlet perforations to introduce the air into the interior of the oven door, and air outlet perforations formed through the other side and top sections of the oven door to outwardly exhaust the air introduced into the interior of the oven door.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined toaster and microwave oven, including: a plurality of heaters disposed close to both surfaces of a slice of bread so as to apply a heat to the slice of bread inserted into a slot in a toaster; a control panel for selecting a bread kind and a bread baking level which a user desires; a display unit for displaying the bread kind and the bread baking level selected in the control panel; and a controller for controlling to selectively operate the heater according to the bread kind and the bread baking level selected in the control panel.

Abstract: In a process for laser-plasma hybrid welding, to weld work pieces, a laser beam and a plasma jet are brought together in the process region close to the work piece. A free microwave-induced plasma jet is generated by the following process. Microwaves are generated in a high-frequency microwave source, and the microwaves are guided in a hollow waveguide. A process gas is introduced into a microwave-transparent tube, which includes a gas inlet opening and a gas outlet opening, at a pressure p?1 bar. The process gas is introduced into the microwave-transparent tube through the gas inlet opening in such a manner that it has a tangential flow component. A plasma is generated in the microwave-transparent tube by electrode-free ignition of the process gas, and a plasma jet is generated by introduction of the plasma into the working space through a metallic nozzle arranged at the gas outlet opening of the tube.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a bread toaster is provided. The microwave oven with the bread toaster includes a cavity for cooking an object, an electrical device chamber having electrical devices for heating the object within the cavity, a ventilating device and a toaster. The ventilating device exhausts air inside the cavity to outside the microwave oven. The ventilating device also cools the electrical devices. The toaster, which is adjacent to the cavity, includes a toaster case and a toaster entrance. The object, such as a slice of bread, enters into and exits from the toaster case by opening or closing the toaster entrance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a toasting function and compact dimensions. The microwave oven comprises a cavity and a component chamber; a toaster case at a front of the component chamber and having an opening at a front thereof; a toaster door at a front of the toaster case for opening/closing the opening; a tray assembly installed in an interior of the toaster case for supporting at least one slice of bread; and a heater assembly installed in an interior of the toaster case, for heating the bread.

Abstract: Systems and methods for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces via variable frequency microwave processing are provided. Mail pieces are initially screened to identify suspicious characteristics or indications of potentially harmful contents. Mail pieces are swept with variable frequency microwaves selected to neutralize pathogens contained within each mail piece without harming the mail piece or other contents thereof. The temperature of each mail piece may be monitored during microwave processing to identify mail pieces containing potentially harmful substances and/or devices. Mail pieces can be irradiated via additional forms of radiation to neutralize pathogenic material on outside surfaces thereof.

Abstract: Microwave oven with a toaster comprising a main case forming an outer shape, a cavity in the main case for cooking food therein with a microwave, an electronic chamber in one side part of the main case having different electronic components for providing the microwave to an inside of the cavity, and a toaster comprising a toaster case in front of the electronic chamber having slits in opposite sides respectively, a tray assembly mounted on the slits of the toaster case for introducing/taking out pieces of bread into/out of the toaster, a heater assembly in the toaster case for heating the pieces of bread, a toaster door on the toaster case, a door lock for holding the door, and a power source device for supplying power to the heater assembly, thereby providing a cooking function with a microwave, and toasting function with a toaster.

Abstract: A microwave oven incorporating toaster includes a tray provided on a tray support. The tray support moves forward and backward in inside the toaster. The tray support includes a bushing for moving within moving slots provided at both sidewalls of a toaster case. A connecting lever connects the bushing to a toaster door and translates a motion generated by operation of the toaster door when it opens and closes into a moving motion exhibited by the tray. A food item (e.g., a slice of bread, bagel, etc.) arranged on the tray may be inserted into, or removed from, the inside of the toaster by operating the toaster door.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric oven which increases temperature fast and reduces heat loss in accordance with that a cavity surface generates its own heat by using an induction heating. The electric oven comprises: a case having a door at a front side and having a cavity for receiving food therein; a magnetron installed at one side of an upper portion of the cavity for generating microwave of high frequency and supplying heat to the cavity; an inverter for generating high frequency at a space between the case and the cavity; first, second, third, and fourth heating units installed each side of the cavity for supplying heat. Since temperature of a cooking chamber can be set as wanted uniformly and faster, preheating time and actual cooking time can be reduced. Also, since inner temperature of the cavity rises faster and simultaneously, an automatic cleaning in the cavity using pyrolysis can be performed faster and uniformly, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: A microwave oven incorporating a toaster includes a toaster door provided on a toaster panel for opening and closing at least one toaster entrance and a tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray support inside the toaster and at least one tray which is fastened to a top of the tray support for holding a food item. The tray includes at least one elevating bracket for maintaining a predetermined distance between the tray and the tray support. In addition, the tray assembly further includes a support wall provided at a front end of the tray for supporting a front lower portion of the food item so as to stably position the food item at an optimal location for toasting. In the microwave oven incorporating a toaster, each food item is positioned against a heater included therein so as to maximize the toasting performance of the toaster. Also the tray support can be easily disassembled and assembled for the purpose of cleaning and replacing with a new tray.

Abstract: A microwave oven, has a toasting cavity in addition to a microwave cooking cavity, thus making well-toasted breads. The microwave oven includes a cabinet which is partitioned into a microwave cooking cavity, a toasting cavity, and a machine room. A microwave generating unit is installed in the machine room to irradiate microwaves into the microwave cooking cavity. A heating unit is installed in the toasting cavity to heat the toasting cavity. A ventilating unit functions to ventilate the toasting cavity.

Abstract: A magnetron for supplying a microwave and an ion burner are provided in an incinerator main body, and the microwave from the magnetron and ion flame from the ion burner are caused to resonate to create a high temperature state in the incinerator main body, whereby waste in the incinerator main body is decomposed and melted by positive (+) and negative (−) activated ions. A tokamak is also provided on the outer side of the incinerator main body so that charged particles (radiation) and electromagnetic wave in the incinerator main body may be reflected and gathered at the center of the incinerator main body to increase an ion concentration to thereby increase a plasma concentration, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of decomposition efficiency. Both or one of quartz and an acceptor level additive is mixed with a furnace wall of the incinerator main body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined toaster and microwave oven, including: a plurality of heaters disposed close to both surfaces of a slice of bread so as to apply a heat to the slice of bread inserted into a slot in a toaster; a control panel for selecting a bread kind and a bread baking level which a user desires; a display unit for displaying the bread kind and the bread baking level selected in the control panel; and a controller for controlling to selectively operate the heater according to the bread kind and the bread baking level selected in the control panel.

Abstract: A microwave plasma processing apparatus is disclosed that enables fast and easy plasma ignition at the pressure for plasma processing In the microwave plasma processing apparatus, a plasma ignition facilitating unit is provided to facilitate plasma ignition induced by a microwave. The plasma ignition facilitating unit includes a deuterium lamp that emits vacuum ultraviolet rays, and a transmission window that allows the vacuum ultraviolet rays to penetrate and irradiate a plasma excitation space. The transmission window is a convex lens, and focuses the vacuum ultraviolet rays to enhance ionization of the plasma excitation gas. With such a configuration, it is possible to induce plasma ignition easily and quickly.

Abstract: A method of bonding together first and second components and a joint are provided. The method includes the steps of applying a film coating of electrically conductive material to an adjoining interface of a first component surface of the first component and a second component surface of the second component. The film coating has a thickness of less than 200 nanometers. The method also includes the step of positioning the first and second components such that the film coating is disposed between the first and second component surfaces. The method further includes the step of irradiating microwave energy to the film coating to generate thermal energy on the film coating to bond together the first and second components.

Abstract: A heating system has three modes of heating. The system includes a hot plate, a heating chamber or oven and an air circulation system for heating a food product. The three modes of heating may be integrated at the heating chamber.

Abstract: In order to reduce reflected waves and improve heating matching, a microwave heating apparatus is equipped with at least one cone-shaped, bell-shaped, pyramid-shaped or similarly shaped waveguide, a reflector apparatus provided inside the waveguide, and a reflection diffusion apparatus provided inside the oven.

Abstract: Microwave oven with a toaster comprising a main case forming an outer shape, a cavity in the main case for cooking food therein with a microwave, an electronic chamber in one side part of the main case having different electronic components for providing the microwave to an inside of the cavity, and a toaster comprising a toaster case in front of the electronic chamber having slits in opposite sides respectively, a tray assembly mounted on the slits of the toaster case for introducing/taking out pieces of bread into/out of the toaster, a heater assembly in the toaster case for heating the pieces of bread, a toaster door on the toaster case, a door lock for holding the door, and a power source device for supplying power to the heater assembly, thereby providing a cooking function with a microwave, and toasting function with a toaster.

Abstract: A degradation device for degrading tires includes an enclosed chamber (3) providing an annular housing space for a tire (1) to be treated. A microwave generator is connected to a wave guide (18) for splitting the generated microwave energy into arms (20 and 19) which are provided with outlets which will direct the energy both externally and internally of the annulus of the housing space. The microwave energy will cause the tire to break down into constituent parts. The chamber (3) is reciprocated and rotated with respect to the tire so that the microwaves will be projected relatively evenly through the tire. An inert gas is introduced into the chamber at (29), to limit the possibility of combustion or oxidation of degradation products created by the process. Volatile gaseous products of the process are drawn off through the exhaust pipe (26). Solid degradation products are created and are removed at the end of the process.

Abstract: Microwave oven unit for foodstuffs, made up of at least one upper fixed part and at least one mobile lower part which includes at least one radio frequency source for heating at least one thermostat-controlled environment by electromagnetic waves, for the contact heating of the surfaces of food containers and/or trays which are loaded inside and, therefore, through transmission, of the surface of the portions of food contained inside, with the unit commanded and controlled by at least one logic control unit.

Abstract: A bacon cooker and method for microwave cooking of bacon. The bacon cooker includes an outer container, an inner container, a rack, and a lid. The lid is releasably attached to the container via a plurality of cam locks that which engage the container and rim and force the rim into the engagement with the underside of the lid. Lever arms with clasps specifically dimensioned to securely engage the outside wall of the lid when the cam locks in are the locked position. The rack is dimensioned to fit inside the container and consists of a plurality of radially extending vanes over which bacon is hung for cooking. The rack includes a upwardly extending stem with alternate vanes dimensioned to fit within a centrally located bore on the lid for securing the container to the lid. A microwave reflective surface is positioned between vacuum sealed outer and inner containers.

Abstract: A microwave device includes a cooking space disposed in a housing, at least one microwave source, and at least one further radiation source, as an alternative to the microwave source, which is protected from microwaves from the microwave source by a shielding grid. At least one grid wall of the shielding grid has a radiation reflector by which it is possible for rays from the alternative radiation source to be reflected into the cooking space.

Abstract: The present invention includes a mechanical joint between a die and a substrate that is reflowed by microwave energy and a method of forming such a mechanical joint by printing a solder over a substrate, placing the solder in contact with a bump over a die, reflowing the solder with microwave energy, and forming a mechanical joint from the solder and the bump.

Abstract: An in-shell egg pasteurization system configured to pasteurize and handle eggs includes a loading system configured to accept and load an in-shell egg. The system also includes a microwave system configured to impart microwave energy to the yolk of the in-shell egg to heat the yolk to a first predetermined temperature and to impart microwave energy to the albumen of the in-shell egg to heat the albumen to a second predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes an outer enclosure, a high voltage generator such as a high-voltage capacitor, and an air guide, wherein the air guide is provided with a plastic hinge formed by partially reducing a wall thickness thereof. The invented structure can bend the plastic hinge to locate an end flap of air guide in a space between a terminal of the high-voltage capacitor and the outer enclosure defining a dead metal part, to easily ensure electrical insulation between the terminal and the outer enclosure without dependent on variations in quality of workmanship in the manufacturing process. In addition, it can reduce a number of working processes as well as amount of waste since all it requires is to bend the plastic hinge to provide the electrical insulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for microwave-heating prepared meals sealed in trays, in which the trays are placed in an autoclave into which microwaves from microwave generators are coupled and in which the trays are moved back and forth as they are being processed. It is the object of the invention to achieve appropriate, even heating of the different products on each tray and to prevent both hot spots and cold spots. The invention lies in the fact that the microwave generators are disposed at the side of the autoclave and are each connected to a waveguide arranged in the autoclave and comprising upwardly directed decoupling openings immediately beneath the tray, the distance between the decoupling opening and the tray to be heated being less than one-half wavelength. What is achieved in this manner is that the foods deposited on the tray are first heated from below and the heat rises from bottom to top. This prevents overheating and burning on the surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of nonaqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus with steam generation function for supplying at least any one of high frequency and steam to a heating chamber 11 for accommodating an object to be heated and heat-treating the object to be heated, the apparatus has a high frequency generating part 13, a steam generating part 15 for generating steam inside the heating chamber 11, a temperature detecting part 20 for detecting temperature of the steam generating part, and a control part 501 for controlling a heater, wherein the steam generating part is controlled to heat based on temperature information of the temperature detecting part.

Abstract: A microwave firing furnace comprises microwave heating means and a furnace chamber for holding a material to be fired containing an organic binder. A carrier gas introduction pipe introduces a carrier gas that contains oxygen at a concentration lower than that of the air to suppress the burning of the organic binder contained in the material being fired.

Abstract: A space saving cooking appliance having a shape that conserves counter space and/or room space with either a prism shaped outer case that has an apex in the rear to match a corner, or a flat back that can be pushed up against a wall. The front of the appliance can be curved forming a part of an ellipse or circle. The cooking space inside the appliance can be cylindrical. On the front of the arcuate surface there can be a door that completes the arcuate surface when it closes, and on its inner side is shaped so that it completes the cylindrical cooking space when it is closed. Auxiliary side appliances can be located left and right of the main cooking area. These auxiliary appliances can be stacked and can be of many different types including a toaster, rotisserie, grill, broiler, BBQ, egg cooker, coffee maker.

Abstract: A magnetron for supplying a microwave and an ion burner are provided in an incinerator main body, and the microwave from the magnetron and ion flame from the ion burner are caused to resonate to create a high temperature state in the incinerator main body, whereby waste in the incinerator main body is decomposed and melted by positive (+) and negative (−) activated ions. A tokamak is also provided on the outer side of the incinerator main body so that charged particles (radiation) and electromagnetic wave in the incinerator main body may be reflected and gathered at the center of the incinerator main body to increase an ion concentration to thereby increase a plasma concentration, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of decomposition efficiency. Both or one of quartz and an acceptor level additive is mixed with a furnace wall of the incinerator main body.

Abstract: A microwave oven incorporating a toaster includes a toaster door provided on a toaster panel for opening and closing at least one toaster entrance and a tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray support inside the toaster and at least one tray on the tray support for holding food items while they are heated. The tray includes at least one elevating bracket for maintaining a predetermined distance between the tray and the tray support. The microwave oven incorporating a toaster further includes a heater generating heat for toasting the food item and at least one connecting link between the toaster door and tray assembly for exerting a force on the tray assembly to move when the toaster door is opened and closed. In the microwave oven incorporating a toaster, each food item is positioned against a heater included therein so as to maximize the toasting performance of the toaster.

Abstract: A microwave oven incorporating a toaster includes a toaster door provided on a toaster panel for opening and closing at least one toaster entrance and a tray assembly. The tray assembly includes a tray support inside the toaster and at least one tray on the tray support for holding food items while they are heated. The tray includes at least one elevating bracket for maintaining a predetermined distance between the tray and the tray support. The microwave oven incorporating a toaster further includes a heater generating heat for toasting the food item and at least one connecting link between the toaster door and tray assembly for exerting a force on the tray assembly to move when the toaster door is opened and closed. In the microwave oven incorporating a toaster, each food item is positioned against a heater included therein so as to maximize the toasting performance of the toaster.

Abstract: Systems and methods for neutralizing pathogen-contaminated mail pieces via variable frequency microwave processing are provided. Mail pieces are initially screened to identify suspicious characteristics or indications of potentially harmful contents. Mail pieces are swept with variable frequency microwaves selected to neutralize pathogens contained within each mail piece without harming the mail piece or other contents thereof. The temperature of each mail piece may be monitored during microwave processing to identify mail pieces containing potentially harmful substances and/or devices. Mail pieces can be irradiated via additional forms of radiation to neutralize pathogenic material on outside surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A plasma source for a spectrometer for spectrochemical analysis of a sample is characterised by use of the magnetic field component of applied microwave energy for exciting a plasma. The source includes a waveguide cavity (10) fed with TE10 mode microwave power. A plasma torch (16) passes through the cavity (10) and is axially aligned with a magnetic field maximum (18) of the applied microwave electromagnetic field. Magnetic field concentration structures such as triangular section metal bars (20) may be provided. In an alternative embodiment a resonant iris may be provided within a waveguide and the plasma torch positioned relative thereto such that the microwave electromagnetic field at the resonant iris excites the plasma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a toasting function and compact dimensions. The microwave oven comprises a cavity and a component chamber; a toaster case at a front of the component chamber and having an opening at a front thereof; a toaster door at a front of the toaster case for opening/closing the opening; a tray assembly installed in an interior of the toaster case for supporting at least one slice of bread; and a heater assembly installed in an interior of the toaster case, for heating the bread.