Method of shaping coils

Abstract

The invention relates to the shaping of coils in the form of helically wound bare wires, particularly for use in "smooth top" cookers. In so-called "smooth top" cookers an unprotected helically coiled wire is secured in an electrically and thermally insulative base to transmit heat primarily by radiation through a smooth top, normally of glass ceramic. The coils used in such cookers are normally very springy and require careful securement if they are not to free themselves during the life of the cooker. According to the present invention, the stresses which cause this springy resilience can be relieved by holding a coil in a groove of the desired configuration and heating it, normally to the annealing temperature of the material of the coil. The subsequently cooled coil will then hold its shape and not tend to straighten and can be more easily held in place in the cooker.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.