Abstract: A mechanism (10) includes a slide plate (32) having die openings (38) adapted to hold dies (42a, 42b) and slideable relative to a cooker/extruder (12). Rotary cutters (74) are rotatably mounted relative to and moveable with the dies (42a, 42b). A motor (76) can be connected and disconnected to the rotary cutter (74) aligned with the cooker/extruder (12) by a male coupling (96) including an elastomeric band (106) tensioned in a groove (102) formed in an outer peripheral surface (100) and received within the inside surface (116) of a cylindrical body (114) of a female coupling (108). The rotary cutters (74) include a plurality of knives (90) mounted to an annular cutter head (82) rotatably mounted upon a center shaft (80) axially extending from each of the dies (42a, 42b). Thus, it is not necessary to shut down the cooker/extruder (12) to service or change the dies (42a, 42b) and/or the rotary cutters (74).

Abstract: A modular burner mounting assembly for a deep fat flyer is described. A vertical plate is used to support each burner with a fuel-air mixture being admitted at one end, and a flame disposed at an opposite end, the flame being dimensioned to register on its respective heat tube so products of combustion are admitted to the heat tube at one end, travel through the tube heating an oil bath surrounding the tube and exits through the flue. A single pilot is integrally mounted on the mounting plate between a pair of centrally located burners so that the pilot simultaneously ignites the fuel-air mixture exiting from each burner. Carry over brackets are provided between the burners ignited by the pilot and adjacent burners so that the flame of one burner passes directly to a fuel-air mixture exiting an adjacent burner to ignite the same. In this way a single pilot can be used to ignite two, four, or even five burners or more as required.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for mechanically removing the core of fruits and vegetables. The device is designed to be used on a vertical or horizontal hand press. The device has an upper collar member having a centrally located threaded aperture therein for attachment to the hand press and has a connection to a lower collar member upon which the cylindrical coring blade is attached by use of an adjustment screw. The coring blade has a cross member located internally which passes across its inner bore and also an alternative embodiment is disclosed having cutting teeth for cutting into the fruit or vegetable which cutting teeth are located in the cylindrical wall at one distal end of the coring blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking foods on a conduction-heated griddle with an upper food support surface. A steam generator supplies steam at controlled temperatures. At least one cover is disposed adjacent to the support surface and is placed at a position substantially covering the foods. An orifice connects the steam generator to inside the cover and injects steam around the foods so as to aid in the cooking of the foods simultaneously with the foods being cooked by the heated griddle.

Abstract: An initial comminuted meat product (21) is exposed to ammonia to produce an ammoniated meat product. The ammoniated meat product is further comminuted in a comminuting device (12) to produce a further comminuted meat product (22). The ammonia exposure to the original comminuted meat product (21) is controlled to result in a pH of at least around 6.0 in the further comminuted meat product (22).

Abstract: The pasteurization heat treatment control system according to the present invention, in the case of irregular operation of the pasteurizer, regulates the heat cycle by monitoring of the temperature of the product in suitable basic subzones of the pasteurizer and by evaluation of the temperature values of the product recorded upstream, intervening so as to ensure the continuation and conclusion of the pasteurization heat treatment of the product part which, at the time of interruption of operation, had already entered into the heat treatment zone.This ensures that the product reaches the pasteurization temperature and that such temperature is maintained for a predetermined period of time independently of stoppage of the pasteurizer.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method for cooking and smoking food items and a smoked product produced by the inventive method. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises (a) an oven including a belt-type conveyor, for continuously conveying food items through the oven, and a circulation system for circulating a cooking medium in the oven such that the cooking medium contacts and cooks the food items and (b) a smoke generation and delivery system for delivering smoke to the circulating system such that the smoke contacts the food items along with the cooking medium. The inventive method preferably comprises the steps of (a) continuously conveying food items through an oven and (b) delivering smoke into the oven such that the smoke contacts the food items. The oven used in the inventive apparatus and inventive method is preferably an indirect-fired oven. The smoke most preferably contacts the food items in an impinging manner.

Abstract: A fruit squeezer includes a hollow base having a peripheral side wall with opposite highest and lowest sides, a container having a first spout and turnable relative to the hollow base between a draining position in which the first spout is aligned vertically with the lowest side, and a non-draining position in which the first spout is aligned vertically with the highest side, a reamer mounted rotatably in the container, a driving unit mounted rotatably on the hollow base and having a driving shaft that projects into the container and that is connected to the reamer, and a squeezing member disposed above the reamer for moving toward the reamer.

Abstract: A nutcracker comprising an anvil, an impact member, the anvil and the impact member being arranged to receive a nut therebetween for cracking, a striking member, and a guiding device for guiding the impact member in a movement towards and away from said anvil and for guiding the striking member in a movement towards and away from said impact member, wherein the striking member is arranged to be forced by its own weight against the impact member under the attraction of gravity so as to impart a cracking force to the shell of a nut received between said impact member and said anvil.

Abstract: A pressure cooker with a safety device to prevent the lid from turning includes a lid handle and a cooking pan handle. The safety device is built-in to the lid handle, and includes a locking mechanism, a vertical sliding pushbutton that actuates a locking member, a residual pressure valve, and a cooker closed condition indicator rod. The pushbutton exerts pressure on a rocker, which moves the locking member horizontally over two opposing slope ramps in the surface of the locking member.

Abstract: A pressure cooker has a main body, a cover disposed on the main body, an air vent valve disposed on the cover, a base seat, an aluminum disk, an electric heating pipe, and a temperature control device. The base seat has a hollow interior, and a chamber. The electric heating pipe is disposed in the base seat. The aluminum disk is disposed on the electric heating pipe. The hollow interior of the base seat receives a bottom of the main body. The temperature control device is inserted in the chamber. The temperature control device has a first recess hole, a second recess hole, and a temperature sensing rod. The electric heating pipe has a first end inserted in the first recess hole, and a second end inserted in the second recess hole.

Abstract: A fruit squeezer includes a hollow base, a container mounted on the hollow base and having a top open end, a strainer disposed in the container, a reamer disposed rotatably in the strainer, a driving unit mounted in the base and having a driving shaft projecting upwardly therefrom and connected to the reamer, and a squeezing member having a pivotal end mounted pivotally on the container so as to be movable toward and away from the top open end of the container. The squeezing member further has a pressing end opposite to the pivotal end, and a squeezing portion disposed between the pivotal end and the pressing end. The squeezing portion is movable toward the reamer when the squeezing member moves downwardly toward the top open end of the container.

Abstract: A barbecue rack including a barbecue grill, a base seat, two support legs and a barbecue tray. The frame of each of the barbecue grill and the base seat has a longitudinal section, whereby the barbecue grill, base seat and the barbecue tray can be stacked into one single unit as a thin rectangular body. Therefore, the storage room is saved and the barbecue rack can be easily quickly assembled. The components of the barbecue rack can be firmly associated and the barbecue grill is not easy to detach and drop and the barbecue grill can be entirely used. The height of the barbecue grill can be stagelessly adjusted by means of the support legs of the base seat as necessary.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a blender including a hollow cylindrical filter member, a main cap member, and a plunger assembly. The main cap member encloses a top opening of the blender such that the filter member is positioned within the container of the blender and surrounds the blade member located at the base of the container. A pusher plate of the plunger assembly forces the fruit pieces toward the bland member to be processed, where the fruit juice from the fruit pieces is allowed to flow through perforations on the filter member from a pulp compartment to a juice compartment while pulps are retained within the pulp compartment and the fruit juice can be poured out from an off-centered spout of the main cap member to be consumed without pulps.

Abstract: A plant for producing foodstuffs is particularly suited for use as a chocolate plant, and permits facilitated tailoring thereof for a particular production purpose by including at least two sections, at least a portion of which are mechanically independent of one another. The foodstuffs are advantageously processable and/or conveyable in product carriers, and optionally delivered from one section to another by transfer devices located therebetween. Optionally, intermediate storage devices may also be provided between the portion of the sections which are mechanically independent of one another.

Abstract: Measured quantities of cereal flakes are loaded into suitable forming moulds in which they are subjected to successive pressure pulses spaced by respective periods in which the pressure is released, so as to compact the cereal flakes, producing cereal aggregates in which the tendency to crumble is considerably reduced.

Abstract: The caldron of the invention comprises a cylindrical caldron main body having a raw material charge port for charging a water-added raw material to be boiled and a discharge port for discharging a boiled raw material, both ports being disposed near to both the closed ends of the caldron main body and at least one steam injection pipe installed in the caldron main body and having a plurality of injection ports for injecting steam and preferably oxygen-free streams for boiling the raw material, wherein the injecting direction of the steam injected from the injection ports is inclined so that the steam is supplied in the circumferential direction of the caldron main body.

Abstract: A portable grill having telescoping legs is disclosed. The grill includes a substantially rectangular grate and two pairs of telescoping legs. Each pair of telescoping legs is pivotally attached to one end of the rectangular grate. The grill can be used to cook food over an open fire, or the grill can be used to cook with charcoal with the aid of a charcoal tray that can be hung below the rectangular grate using S-hooks. The invention also includes a carrying case for allowing the grill to be carried in a backpack without the grill soiling other items in the backpack.

Abstract: A dual-use roaster includes a housing having a receiving space and a peripheral rim, a first heater disposed inside the receiving space, a rotatable spit assembly mounted on the housing for supporting food items inside the receiving space, and a tray assembly including a tray panel for supporting food items, a peripheral downward flange mounted detachably on the peripheral rim of the housing, and a second heater disposed beneath the tray panel.

Abstract: The oven of the present invention is a low profile, dual .[.conveyer.]. .Iadd.conveyor .Iaddend.oven including an oven cabinet, two closely spaced .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.and an air heating and circulation system. The .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.and the oven cabinet are adapted so that the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.can be easily removed .[.from the.]. from the front or side of the oven cabinet. The oven cabinet houses the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors.Iaddend., ducts and manifolds which all can be easily removed for cleaning or other maintenance. Each of the .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.include separately controlled drive motors capable of driving .[.the.]. each of .[.conveyers.]. .Iadd.conveyors .Iaddend.at different speeds and in different directions.