Abstract: A heating device for a circulating heat transfer medium includes first and second heating stages. Each of the first and second heating stages has a first chamber and a second chamber disposed above and communicated with the corresponding first chamber. The first chamber has an inlet, an outlet and at least one electric heating unit provided therein. A conduit has two ends respectively connected to the outlet of the first chamber of the first heating stage and to the inlet of the first chamber of the second heating stage. Heat transfer medium which flows through the heating device undergoes two heating steps in the first and second heating stages. Gradual heating of the heat transfer medium is thus employed, thereby slowing down the degradation of the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A liquid evaporator includes an air-tight outer container containing liquid therein, the liquid container having support legs adjacent the bottom surface thereof; an inner container mounted on the legs for partitioning the interior space of the outer container, the inner container having a wall made of insulating material; and a heater fixed to an upper portion of the outer container and positioned inside the inner container. The liquid evaporator may be combined with a deodorizing device for forming a urine treating device, wherein the urine treating device includes a deodorizing housing having an upper portion provided with a secondary heater therein, a catalyst surrounding the secondary heater, a blower provided outside the housing, and a diffusion pipe provided at the upper portion of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus which dispenses small quantities of water of variable temperatures, and improved quality and taste, comprising a reservoir connected to the mains for heating and storing water at a temperature above its atmospheric boiling point, and an outlet for boiling water. The apparatus is fully filled with water under normal operating conditions. According to the invention, the apparatus has at least one outlet connected to a source of water having a temperature lower than the atmospheric boiling point.

Abstract: A hot water boiling apparatus includes a hot water storage tank. The storage tank has an inner tank storing water therein, an outer tank surrounding the inner tank, and a vacuum heat insulation layer defined between the inner and outer tanks and surrounding the inner tank. An electrically heated bubble pump unit is arranged outside the storage tank and used for drawing water from the inner tank through a water supply port formed at the bottom of the inner tank and, after heating the water, supplying it into the inner tank through a hot water supply port formed at the top of the inner tank. First and second connecting pipe respectively connect the bubble pump unit to the top and bottom water supply ports of the inner tank. The portions of the connecting pipes extending through the vacuum insulation space are oriented horizontally to minimize convection heat losses. The portion of the connecting pipe which passes through the vacuum heat insulation space is oriented horizontally.