A cooking apparatus ventilation system which evacuates smoke and vapors to allow indoor cooking. Air is evacuated through ventilation channels which surround all but one side of the cooking surface. A layer of air is directed from the fourth side across the cooking surface to push the smoke and vapor into the ventilation channels. A portion of the evacuated air is recycled back across the cooking surface to enhance the flavor of the food being cooked.

A down draft work table useful in removing obnoxious fumes and gases. The work table comprises a support structure which contains a flat top mounted on an open-topped V-bottomed down draft chamber. The down draft chamber is attached such that one end of the V-bottom is lower than the opposite end of the V-bottom. The down draft chamber is assisted in the removal of gases by a series of air ducts and an air flow package. At least two work tables can be connected together in tandem through the air flow package.

A selected part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table can be insulated from air in the surrounding atmosphere by a stream of clean-room air which issues from a distributor head and is caused to form a relatively thin layer between the selected part and the surrounding atmosphere. Such relatively thin layer can be established and maintained by heating or cooling the stream so that its temperature deviates from that of air in the surrounding atmosphere by a few degrees centigrade. The direction of flow of a portion of or the entire stream can be changed by one or more secondary streams. The moisture content of the stream of clean-room air can be increased by causing it to flow through a steam chamber. Heating or cooling of the stream can precede or follow sterilization of atmospheric air which is to form the stream.

An active control containment system for defending an operator against biohazardous materials for use in medical, forensic and embalming procedures. The containment system has the advantage of being structurally simple, light weight and easily cleaned and maintained. The containment system includes a vaulted cover which together with an autopsy table forms a compartment within which the biohazardous material is contained. The autopsy table has a plurality of apertures through which a down-draft keeps the compartment at negative pressure as compared to the treatment room. An air intake is provided in the cover and an opening through which the operator can access the biohazardous material through the cover. Access doors are provided along the bottom of the cover for manipulation or transfer of materials.

A cooking apparatus ventilation system which evacuates smoke and vapors to allow indoor cooking. Air is evacuated through ventilation channels which surround all but one side of the cooking surface. A layer of air is directed from the fourth side across the cooking surface to push the smoke and vapor into the ventilation channels.