Abstract: Processing apparatus such as a food slicer (10) includes upper and lower conveyor units (16, 14) having shiftable conveyor belts (40, 22) designed to receive incoming products and to move such products along a path of travel (124) through the conveyor units (16, 14) and into a slicer assembly (18). The upper conveyor unit (16) is equipped with control apparatus (72) serving to maintain a predetermined, substantially constant force against products passing through the conveyor units (16, 14). The upper conveyor unit (16) is bidirectionally pivotal about respective axes parallel with the path of travel (124), and transverse thereto. This allows the slicer 10 to accommodate products of varying size, shape, and makeup.

Abstract: High-moisture integrity wash-down enclosures (10) for critical equipment includes housing wall structure (12) having a peripheral edge (16) defining a corresponding door opening (18); a shiftable door (20) having a peripheral margin (34) serves to cover the opening (18). The edge (16) and margin (34) cooperatively define a sealing zone (38) having therein a sealing assembly (40). The assembly (40) includes a primary outer seal (42), an innermost, generally U-shaped gutter (26), and a secondary inner seal (44). The outer seal (42) is disposed between the door (20) and wall structure (12), whereas the inner seal (44) is located between the gutter (26) and the (inner surface of the door (20).

Abstract: High-moisture integrity wash-down enclosures (10) for critical equipment includes housing wall structure (12) having a peripheral edge (16) defining a corresponding door opening (18); a shiftable door (20) having a peripheral margin (34) serves to cover the opening (18). The edge (16) and margin (34) cooperatively define a sealing zone (38) having therein a sealing assembly (40). The assembly (40) includes a primary outer seal (42), an innermost, generally U-shaped gutter (26), and a secondary inner seal (44). The outer seal (42) is disposed between the door (20) and wall structure (12), whereas the inner seal (44) is located between the gutter (26) and the (inner surface of the door (20).

Abstract: Processing apparatus such as a food slicer (10) includes upper and lower conveyor units (16, 14) having shiftable conveyor belts (40, 22) designed to receive incoming products and to move such products along a path of travel (124) through the conveyor units (16, 14) and into a slicer assembly (18). The upper conveyor unit (16) is equipped with control apparatus (72) serving to maintain a predetermined, substantially constant force against products passing through the conveyor units (16, 14). The upper conveyor unit (16) is bidirectionally pivotal about respective axes parallel with the path of travel (124), and transverse thereto. This allows the slicer 10 to accommodate products of varying size, shape, and makeup.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/ or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: Smokehouses (20) or other similar thermal processing cabinets or houses are provided with improved floor assemblies (22) which eliminate fluid collection and provide a high degree of structural integrity. The smokehouses (20) include upright walls (24, 26) supported on the floor assemblies (22). Each floor assembly (22) has one or more weldment frame assemblies (38) including a peripheral frame assembly (46) with opposed wall receiving channel segments (52) and frame elements (54). Drainage structure such as one or more tubular drain units (44) are also preferably secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38) and are positioned to effect proper liquid drainage. Tread plates (42) are secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38). In order to construct a floor assembly (22), an appropriately sized recess (66) is formed and the weldment frame assemblies (38) and drain units (44) are installed. A monolithic pour of concrete (40) is then placed within the weldment frame assemblies (38) and allowed to cure.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (94, 96) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (94, 96) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (94, 96) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (94, 96) to the desired extent.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (92, 94) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (92, 94) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (92, 94) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (92, 94) to the desired extent.

Abstract: A system (50) is provided for the production of elongated comestible products such as hot dogs, without the use of traditional casings. The system (50) includes a circular pattern of arrays (92) of elongated, open-ended, extruded synthetic resin cooking tubes (92, 94) within a rotatable cylindrical heating drum or housing (70). The tube housing (70) and arrays (92) are incrementally rotated and at each stop position certain of the tubes (92, 94) are filled with portions of meat emulsion (590) and alternating plugs (208), while previously filled tubes (92, 94) containing cooked product are unloaded, and other unfilled tubes are internally coated with a lubricant (e.g., a mixture of lecithin and vegetable oil). Energy exchange media such as hot water and/ or steam are used within the housing to continuously cook the emulsion portions within the tubes (92, 94) to the desired extent.