Abstract: A comestible freezer of the type having a freezing barrel and a rotor in the barrel. The rotor has rigid flight bars extending in helical fashion along the inner surfce of the barrel and spaced inwardly therefrom, and a scraper blade of resilient plastic material is provided with a lengthwise extending channel to receive the flight bar so that the blade conforms to the helix of the flight bar. The scraper blade has two blade portions that extend in opposite directions from the channel and resiliently engage the inner surface of the freezing barrel to scrape frozen comestible from the freezing barrel and feed the comestible lengthwise of the barrel.

Abstract: A front loading and unloading grill apparatus for two-sided grilling of hamburger patties. The grill apparatus includes upper and lower cooking platens, a patty support panel at the front of the lower cooking platen and an endless conveyor for advancing uncooked patties from the patty support panel onto the lower cooking platen. The patty support panel is retracted away from the front of the lower cooking platen and, when the patties are cooked, the conveyor is operated in the reverse direction to move the cooked patties off the front lower cooking platen and discharge the same to a cooked patty receiver at the front side of the grill apparatus.

Abstract: A pump-type dispenser for heat softenable food products including a product receptacle and a heater for heating the product in the receptacle to a predetermined product softening temperature range at which the product is heat softened to a pumpable condition. A product pump extends downwardly into the receptacle to receive product therefrom and has a spout disposed externally of the receptacle. A closed heat pipe containing a vaporizable heat transfer fluid has its upper condensation zone in heat exchange relation with the spout and its lower evaporation zone arranged to receive heat from the heater.

Abstract: A continuous-flow type pasteurization apparatus for pasteurizing batches of product. The apparatus has a product conduit that defines a continuous flow passage with a heater in heat exchange relation with one section of the conduit to heat the product to pasteurizing temperature as it flows therethrough and cooling coils and refrigeration coils in heat exchange relation with other sections of the product conduit to cool the product. A positive displacement type inlet pump is provided for pumping unpasteurized product from a container to the inlet end of the product conduit and a positive displacement type outlet pump is provided for pumping product from the outlet of the product conduit to a container for pasteurized product. A cleaning system is provided including a cleaning pump for pumping cleaning solution to and from cleaning fluid supply and return fittings located adjacent the inlet and outlet fittings of the product conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing dry powdered material including a hopper having a trough shaped bottom and a dispensing outlet at one end of the bottom wall, a feed auger for feeding material along the bottom and an agitator wheel mounted for rotation in an upright plane through the auger and meshing with the auger for rotation thereby. Reciprocating agitators are mounted in the hopper at opposite sides of the agitator wheel for movement along paths generally paralleling the auger and actuator members are provided on the wheel arranged to engage abutments on the agitator members to move the agitator members in one direction. Springs are provided on the agitator members to return the agitator members in the opposite direction until stops on the agitator members engage brackets on the hopper with an impact to jar and loosen material that may cling to the walls of the hopper.

Abstract: A frame supports a cross-bar conveyor for advancement over a hamburger patty feeding plate and between upper and lower heated platens. The upper platen is raised by actuators and falls by gravity against adjustable stops in time with advancement of the conveyor. At the discharge end of the conveyor a guide assists in directing a discharging hamburger patty onto a receiving grate.

Abstract: A method and refrigeration apparatus for producing a sterile slush ice from a sterile liquid for use in surgical procedures. The refrigeration apparatus includes a cabinet having a heat transfer basin at the top and refrigeration mechanism in the cabinet for cooling the heat transfer basin. A separate sterile product basin is positioned in the heat transfer basin and cooled through a heat transfer medium in the product basin. A sterile liquid is deposited in the product basin and ice is scraped off the walls of the product basin with a sterile scraper. A sterile cover including a liquid impervious cover sheet is provided for covering the heat transfer basin and the heat exchange medium therein and the upper portion of the refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: A conductivity type in-line liquid sensing apparatus adapted for connection in a liquid supply line to sense interruption of the liquid supply in the line. The sensing apparatus includes a trap chamber having a liquid inlet tube and a liquid outlet tube and the outlet tube forms one electrode of an electrode pair. The outlet tube electrode has a gas vent opening at a level above the lower end of the other electrode of the electrode pair, to vent gas from the trap chamber and maintain the liquid level in the chamber above the lower ends of the electrodes, until the liquid supply is interrupted. A sensing circuit is connected to the electrode pair to apply a low voltage to the electrodes and cause a low current to pass between the electrodes when they are bridged by liquid in the trap chamber. The sensing circuit is arranged to actuate an output device in response to the change in conductivity that occurs when the liquid supply is interrupted and does not form a conductive bridge between the electrodes.