Patent ID: 7257883

Claim:
A method of manufacturing an electric heater in which an elongate corrugated metal ribbon heating element ( 14 ) is supported edgewise on a base ( 2 ) of thermal and electrical insulation material, the heating element ( 14 ) having one of an edge portion ( 22 ) thereof and at least one part ( 22 ) secured thereto and extending edgewise therefrom, secured by embedding in the base ( 2 ), the method comprising the steps of: feeding and guiding an elongate corrugated metal ribbon heating element ( 14 ) progressively into overlying edgewise relationship with a base ( 2 ) of thermal and electrical insulation material; supporting the base ( 2 ) and effecting relative motion between a surface of the base ( 2 ) and the means ( 24 , 26 ) of feeding and guiding the heating element ( 14 ), such that motion of the base ( 2 ) is synchronised with feeding of the heating element ( 14 ); and applying localised edgewise pressure to the heating element ( 14 ), as it is progressively fed and guided into overlying edgewise relationship with the base ( 2 ), to urge the heating element ( 14 ) towards the base ( 2 ) and cause an edge portion ( 22 ) of the heating element ( 14 ), or at least one part ( 22 ) secured to the heating element ( 14 ) and extending edgewise therefrom, to become secured by embedding in the base ( 2 ).