Euro-Pro Exhibit 1002
`Euro-Pro v. Acorne
`Page 1 of 11
`IPR2014-00186
`Page 1 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 2003
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`10
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`Page 2 of 11
`Page 2 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 2003
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`FIG. 2
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`Page 3 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 2003
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 2003
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`Page 5 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 2003
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`FIG. 5B
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`Page 6 of 11
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`Page 7 of 11
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`1
`DEEP WELL COOKER WITH DUAL
`HEATING ELEMENTS
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`1. Field of Invention
`
`The present invention relates to cooking appliances and,
`more particularly,
`to a multifunctional cooking system
`including a deep well cooker having a plurality of heating
`elements capable of being selectively energized to corre-
`spond to different cooking modes.
`Electric cooking pots for preparing and serving hot foods
`are well known in the art. Such cooking pots typically
`include a deep well member and a heating element arranged
`in functional relation thereto for supplying heat. Such deep
`well members are often constructed of stainless steel or
`enameled steel for reasons of sanitation and durability. It is
`known that both stainless steel and enameled steel have a
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`relatively low coefficient of heat conductivity as compared ,
`with other metals.
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`Applying heat only to the bottom of a deep well member,
`especially when constructed of stainless steel or enameled
`steel, can result in the upper portion of the deep well member
`being insufficiently heated. Thus,
`the food in the upper
`portion of the well member may become too cool for serving
`purposes due to the loss of heat in combination with the low
`rate of heat conductivity of the stainless steel or enameled
`steel material and the slow rate at which heat is supplied to
`the upper portion of the deep well member.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Various solutions have been proposed in the prior art to
`solve this problem. One example of a prior art deep well
`cooker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,377 to Henke
`comprising a heat sink preferably formed of aluminum or
`another corrosion resistant metal having a relatively high
`coefficient of heat conductivity, which is positioned over the
`deep well member from below. The heat sink member is
`generally U-shaped and has a bottom part parallel to and
`spaced from the bottom of the well member and side parts
`parallel to and engaging the sides ofthe well member in heat
`exchanging relation. An electric heating element is disposed
`in the space between the bottom of the well member and the
`bottom part of the U-shaped heat sink member. When the
`electric heater is energized, heat is supplied to the bottom of
`the well member by direct radiation and by radiation from
`the bottom part of the U-shaped member and by convection
`due to the air in the space occupied by the heating element.
`Simultaneously, however, heat also [lows from the bottom
`part of the U-shaped member, up the side parts of the
`U-shaped member and into the sides of the well member.
`The heat supplied by conduction to the sides of the well
`member provides for more uniform heating of the well
`member while also providing for more efficient utilization of
`the energy supplied to the heating element.
`Another example of a prior art cooking device having
`multiple heating elements is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`3,393,295 to Jepson et. al. comprising a pan with a lower
`electric heating element supported on its underside and a
`deep cover with an upper heating element supported within
`A thermostatic control is connected to the lower heating
`element for energization thereof. When the cover is closed,
`an electrical connection for energizing the upper heating
`element is completed. The control serves thermostatically to
`control the energization of either element in a repeating,
`alternating sequence and is capable of performing the func-
`tions of a frying pan, broiler, and oven. However,
`this
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`2
`invention is not directly applicable to deep well cookers nor
`does it disclose a wrap-around heating element for control-
`ling heat distribution to the upper surfaces of a deep well
`member within such a cooker.
`
`Thus, the present invention has been developed to provide
`an alternative solution to the problem of regulating the
`distribution of heat to all surfaces within a deep well cooker
`and also to provide other functional advantages over the
`prior art.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, the present invention provides a multifunc-
`tional deep well cooker that
`includes a bottom heating
`element and a wrap-around heating element, which is dis-
`posed about the deep well member for heating the sides
`thereof The bottom heating element and the wrap-around
`heating element are interconnected by a temperature control
`switch for heat regulation and a function control switch for
`selectively energizing the desired heating elements individu-
`ally or in combination to provide various different cooking
`modes. Thus, the present multifunctional cooker is capable
`of providing the user with a wide variety of cooking modes
`such as steaming, stir-frying, roasting, baking, or deep-
`frying within a single deep well cooker by selectively
`energizing the respective heating elements and using
`optional cooking accessories such as lift racks and/or frying
`baskets, which are applicable to a particular cooking tech-
`nique.
`Other features and technical advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent from a study of the follow-
`ing description and the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The novel features of the present invention are set forth in
`the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well
`as other features and advantages thereof will be best under-
`stood by reference to the following detailed description of an
`illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the
`accompanying figures wherein:
`FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of the multifunctional
`deep well cooker of the present invention;
`FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the multifunctional
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`cooker in an open condition showing the positions of the
`wrap-around and bottom elements;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multifunctional cooker
`showing the position of the bottom heating element;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram representing the electrical
`circuitry and components of the present multifunctional
`deep well cooker;
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of the wire lead assembly of the
`heating element of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a composite diagram showing the details of the
`construction of the wrap-around heating element, and
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the
`wrap-around heating element installed about the deep well
`member of the present multifunctional cooker.
`DETAILED DESCRll"l‘l()N OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`With f11rther reference to the drawings, there is shown
`therein a preferred embodiment of a multifunctional deep
`well cooker in accordance with the present invention, indi-
`cated generally at 10, and illustrated in FIG. 1. The present
`multifunctional deep well cooker 10 is comprised of an outer
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`housing 22 equipped with external handles 24 and feet 26.
`Cooker 10 is also provided with a hinged lid 28 equipped
`with a knob or handle 30. Lid 28 includes an odor elimi-
`
`nating filter assembly 15.
`In the preferred embodiment the housing 22 is constructed
`of sheet steel or other suitable material and is provided in
`different exterior finishes such as powder coating, stainless
`steel, or plated steel with different accent finishes such as
`copper and bronze.
`The present cooker 10 also includes an inner deep well
`member 36 including a peripheral flange member 36a inte-
`grally formed thereon. The deep well member 36 is resides
`permanently within the housing 22 such that the flange 36a
`is disposed about the upper edge of the housing 22 as shown
`in FIG. 1B. The deep well member 36 is constructed of
`enamel-coated steel, cast aluminum, or cast iron having
`diflerent surface finishes such as a nonstick coating and/or
`an anodized coating.
`In the preferred embodiment the present cooker 10 also
`includes a removable cooking well 37 as most clearly shown
`in FIG. 2, which is also constructed of stainless steel,
`enamel-coated steel, cast aluminum or other suitable mate-
`rial. The cooking well 37 is easily removed from the deep
`well member 36 for washing for the convenience of the user.
`Alayer of heat resistant insulating material (not shown) is
`disposed in the air space as at 20 between the housing 22 and
`the deep well member 36. Numerous types of heat insulating
`materials having physical and chemical properties suitable
`for this application are commercially available. Since such
`heat insulating materials are well known to those skilled in
`the art, further detailed discussion of the same is not deemed
`necessary.
`A temperature control switch 32 and a multi-function
`control switch 34 are mounted within the housing 22 to
`provide the various functions of the present cooker as shown
`in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The temperature control switch 32 and
`the function control switch 34 are electrically interconnected
`with the bottom heating element 38 and the wrap-around
`heating element 40 and regulate their operation as explained
`hereinafter in further detail.
`
`Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the present
`cooker 10 is generally rectangular in the preferred embodi-
`ment. However, it will be appreciated that the cooker 10 may
`also be constructed in an oval, circular, or square configu-
`ration. It will be understood that the bottom heating element
`38 is constructed to approximate the dimensions of the deep
`well member 36 and, similarly,
`the wrap-around heating
`element 40 is configured to approximate the circumference
`of the deep well member 36. In this manner, optimal heating
`of both the bottom and side wall surfaces of the deep well
`member 36 can be achieved at all times during operation of
`the present cooking system.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown therein a sche-
`matic representation of the electrical circuitry and compo-
`nents of the present cooking system. It will be appreciated
`by those sldlled in the art that the present cooking system is
`designed for use with a standard 120 Volt/60 Hz household
`electrical system. The temperature control circuit includes
`the temperature control switch 32, which is electrically
`connected to resistor 42, which in turn is connected to an
`indicator light 44 and in turn to the ceramic terminal block
`46. The temperature control switch 32 is also electrically
`interconnected to the function control switch 34, which is
`capable of passing current to either bottom heater 38 or
`wrap-around heater 40 individually or in combination to
`selectively energize the heating elements depending upon
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`the desired cooking mode. In the preferred embodiment the
`bottom heater 38 operates in the range of 400 to 600 watts
`and the wraparound heater at a level of 600 watts. Of course
`these wattage ratings may vary for a given application and
`cooker capacity.
`Although the function control switch 34 is depicted in the
`schematic as a conventional electro-mechanical switch, it
`will be understood that the selection of the bottom heater 38
`and the wrap-around heater 40 may be accomplished by
`digital or other electrical controls and that
`the example
`shown is intended to be merely illustrative and not restric-
`tive in any sense.
`Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown therein a heater
`lead wire assembly, indicated generally at 50, for installation
`on the terminal ends of the heater ribbon strands or wire 53.
`
`In the manufacturing process the terminal ends of the heater
`wire 53 are tightly twisted with a bundle of nickel conduc-
`tors 51 to create a heat sink, which effectively insulates the
`heater wire 53 from the temperature controls. Further, the
`twisted bundle of nickel conductors 51 and heater wire 53 is
`covered with a fiberglass insulation sleeve 52 and further
`insulated by ceramic sleeves 54 and 56 to insure that the
`temperature controls are accurate and not influenced by their
`proximity to the wraparound heater element 40. A terminal
`loop connector 55 is applied to the terminal end of the heater
`lead wire assembly 50 in a known manner for connection to
`terminal block 46.
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the details of the
`construction of the present heater elements will be
`described. Each of the heater elements 38 and 40 are
`
`constructed as a layered assembly wherein a supporting
`mica sheet assembly, indicated generally at 70, is interposed
`between an interior mica insulation board 72 and an exterior
`mica insulation board 74.
`
`Since the physical and chemical properties of mica insu-
`lation board are well known to those skilled in the art, further
`detailed discussion of these materials is not deemed neces-
`sary.
`
`Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, it will be noted that the
`supporting mica sheet assembly 70 is fabricated with a
`plurality of notches 76 and 76a, which are formed at
`predetermined intervals along the opposite lateral
`ledges
`thereof. During the construction process of the heater
`elements,
`the heater wire 53 is drawn across a pair of
`diagonally opposed notches as at 76 and 76a, wrapped in
`continuous revolutions around the supporting mica sheet 70,
`and advanced in this manner along the entire length thereof
`as shown by directional arrows. It will be appreciated that
`when constructed using the aforementioned technique, a
`so-called double sided heating element having heating wire
`53 disposed on both sides thereof is produced.
`Using an alternative construction technique shown in
`FIG. 5B, a so-called one-sided heater element can be pro-
`duced by initially drawing the heater wire 53 across the
`supporting mica sheet 70 as described in the first step
`hereinabove. Next, the wire 53 is interlaced between adja-
`cent notches 76 on the same lateral edge of the supporting
`mica sheet 70 as shown by directional arrows. Thereafter,
`the wire 53 is again drawn across the supporting mica sheet
`70 to the next diagonally opposed notch 76a on the opposite
`lateral edge thereof Next, the wire 53 is interlaced between
`adjacent notches 76a on the opposite lateral edge of the
`supporting mica sheet.
`In this manner,
`it will be understood that a so-called
`one-sided heater element having at least 75% of the total
`amount of heater wire 53 used in its construction disposed
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`on one surface of the supporting mica sheet 70 may be
`produced. Such a one-sided heater element is advantageous
`in reducing the radially outward deflection of heat generated
`by the heating elements thereby improving heating efli-
`ciency and providing a cooler outer surface in the event of
`user contact for safety purposes.
`In both of the above described embodiments, the support-
`ing mica sheet 70 is permanently captured between the
`interior and exterior insulation boards 72 and 74 and secured
`at periodic intervals as shown by rivets 75 or other suitable
`fasteners to maintain alignment of the layers.
`In an assembly procedure of the present cooker 10, the
`wrap-around heating element 40 is secured to an outer
`surface of the deep well member 36 by use of an adjustable
`band clamp, indicated generally at 80 as shown in FIG. 6.
`The band clamp 80 is conducted of sheet metal such as steel
`in the form of an elongated belt and includes a turn buckle
`mechanism, indicated generally at 82, which is capable of
`securing the heater belt 40 about the outer periphery of the
`deep well member 36.
`The wrap-around heating element 40 is mounted onto
`studs 77 which are coupled to and project from the band
`clamp 80 in predetermined locations. A plurality of elon-
`gated slots 79 are formed in the terminal ends of wrap-
`around heater element 40 so as to be positioned in alignment
`with studs 77. Studs 77 engage the elongated slots 79 during
`assembly and provide for slight differences in length and
`movement between the interior and exterior insulation
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`boards 72 and 74 and supporting mica sheet 70.
`It will be noted that the wrap-around heater element 40 is
`fabricated to a predetermined length and during assembly is
`positioned so as to leave a gap as at 85 corresponding to the
`position of the temperature and function control switches,
`which are subject
`to heat damage.
`In the construction
`process the gap 85 may be filled with fiberglass insulation,
`material 88 mica insulation board or other appropriate
`insulating materials to protect the temperature and multi-
`function controls.
`
`It is anticipated that the present multifunctional cooking
`system will be utilized in combination with various cooking
`accessories such as lift-racks, frying baskets and/or optional
`serving sets which are insertable into the cooking well 37
`and utilized for various cooking modes such as steaming,
`stir-frying, roasting, etc.
`In summary, the present invention has been developed to
`provide a multifunctional cooking system including a deep
`well cooker that includes a bottom heating element and a
`flexible, wrap-around heating element which is disposed
`about the deep well member for heating the sides thereof
`The bottom heating element and the wrap-around heating
`element are interconnected by a temperature control switch
`for heat regulation and a multi-function control switch for
`selectively energizing the desired heating elements of the
`system for different cooking modes.
`Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it
`should be understood that additional equipment and struc-
`t11ral components will be provided as necessary, and that all
`of the components described above are arranged and sup-
`ported in an appropriate fashion to form a complete and
`operative system incorporating features of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`It is also understood that variations may be made in the
`present invention without departing from the scope of the
`invention. For example, the present multifunctional cooking
`system may utilize double-sided and also single-sided heater
`elements as disclosed herein, which may be advantageous
`for specific applications.
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`Moreover, although illustrative embodiments of the
`invention have been described, a latitude of modification,
`change, and substitution is intended in the forgoing
`disclosure, and in certain instances some features of the
`invention will be employed without a corresponding use of
`other features. Accordingly,
`it
`is appropriate that
`the
`appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner
`consistent with the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A deep well cooker comprising:
`an outer housing having a lid member;
`a deep well member residing within said housing, said
`deep well member having a bottom surface with inte-
`grally formed sidewalls and an open top;
`heating means including a bottom heating element and a
`wrap-around heating element radially disposed about
`said deep well member and positioned intermediate
`said housing and said deep well member;
`temperature controlling means electrically interconnected
`to said heating means for regulating the temperature of
`said heating elements; and
`function controlling means electrically interconnected to
`said temperature controlling means and to said heating
`elements enabling said bottom heating element and said
`wrap-around heating element to be selectively ener-
`gized to provide variable cooking modes.
`2. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said bottom
`heating element is formed by wrapping an electrical heating
`wire about a mica insulation board along the entire length
`thereof in a predetermined configuration.
`3. The deep well cooker of claim 2 wherein said mica
`insulation board includes a plurality of notches formed in the
`lateral edges thereof at periodic intervals such that said
`heating wire can be engaged within said notches in a
`repeating pattern.
`4. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said heating
`wire is alternately traversed across said mica insulation
`board between diagonally opposed pairs of said notches and
`then interlaced between adjacent pairs of said notches in a
`predetermined pattern such that at least 75% of said heating
`wire is disposed on a first side of said mica insulation board.
`5. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said mica
`insulation board is constructed in the form of an elongated
`belt.
`
`6. The deep well cooker of claim 5 wherein said heating
`wire is wrapped in continuous revolutions about said mica
`insulation board between diagonally opposed pairs of said
`notches to produce said repeating pattern.
`7. The-deep well cooker of claim 6 wherein said mica
`insulation board including said heater wire is captured
`between a plain interior and a plain exterior mica insulation
`board to form a heater belt assembly.
`8. The deep well cooker of claim 7 wherein said heater
`belt assembly is riveted in periodic intervals along the length
`thereof to maintain alignment of said mica insulation boards
`after installation of said assembly about said deep well
`member.
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`60
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`9. The deep well cooker of claim 8 wherein said heater
`belt assembly is secured to the external periphery of the side
`wall of said deep well member by an adjustable band clamp.
`10. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said heater
`wire is tightly intertwined at the terminal ends thereof with
`a bundle of nickel lead wires to form a heat sink to insulate
`
`said temperature controlling means from said heating ele-
`ments.
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`11. The deep well cooker of claim 10 wherein said twisted
`bundle of heater wire and said nickel lead wires is covered
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`US 6,515,262 B1
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`7
`with a fiberglass insulation sleeve and at least one ceramic
`sleeve to form a lead wire assembly.
`12. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said housing
`and said deep well member are rectangular in configuration.
`13. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said housing
`and said deep well member are oval in configuration.
`14. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein a removable
`cooking well conforming to the dimensions of said deep
`well member is provided.
`15. An improved deep well cooker having an outer
`housing, a deep well member residing within said housing
`and also having a bottom surface with integrally formed side
`walls and an open top defining a cooking pot, a bottom
`heating element disposed adjacent said bottom surface inter-
`mediate said housing and said deep well member, and a
`temperature control switch electrically interconnected to
`said bottom heating element wherein the improvement com-
`prises:
`a wrap-around heating element radially disposed about
`said side walls and intermediate said deep well member '
`and said housing and electrically interconnected to said
`temperature control switch; and
`a multi-function control switch electrically interconnected
`to said temperature control switch, said bottom heating
`element, and said wrap-around heating element
`enabling each of said heating elements to be selectively
`energized to provide variable cooking modes for said
`cooker.
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`16. A method of fabricating a wrap-around heating ele-
`ment for a deep well cooker, said method comprising the
`steps of:
`producing an elongated sheet of supporting insulation
`board with preset dimensions;
`cutting a plurality of opposed notches into the lateral
`edges of said insulation board at predetermined inter-
`vals;
`providing an electrical heating wire having terminal ends;
`wrapping said electrical heating wire about said insulation
`board to engage said notches in a repeating pattern;
`layering said supporting insulation board with said heat-
`ing wire wrapped thereon between interior and exterior
`sheets of insulation board;
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`40
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`8
`fastening said sheet of supporting insulation board to said
`interior and said exterior sheets of insulation board at
`
`predetermined locations to permanently capture said
`supporting insulation board therebetween;
`providing a bundle of nickel conductors;
`twisting said terminal ends of said heating wire with said
`nickel conductors using a predetermined tension;
`applying a fiberglass insulation sleeve to said twisted wire
`bundle;
`
`attaching at least one ceramic insulation sleeve over said
`fiberglass insulation sleeve;
`crimping a wire connector onto each end of said terminal
`ends to produce a lead wire assembly; and
`attaching said wrap-around heating element to an adjust-
`able band clamp for installation about said deep well
`cooker.
`
`17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of wrapping
`further comprises the steps of:
`drawing said heating wire across said supporting insula-
`tion board between diagonally opposed pairs of said
`notches in continuous revolutions; and
`advancing said heating wire along the entire length of said
`insulation board.
`
`18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of drawing
`further includes the steps of:
`interlacing said heating wire between adjacent notches
`along a lateral edge of said supporting insulation board;
`traversing said wire across said supporting insulation
`board between diagonally opposed pairs of said
`notches; and
`repeating said step of interlacing between adjacent
`notches along an opposite lateral edge of said support-
`ing insulation board after each traversal of said sup-
`porting insulation board to produced a one-sided heater
`element.
`
`19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of fastening
`is carried out by rivets.
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