Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing frozen product characterized by flowing liquid substantially uniformly over a substantially vertically oriented freezing mold; supplying liquid refrigerant to a conductive surface in the freezing mold for freezing the liquid into predetermined shapes; collecting the excess liquid into a reservoir and circulating the excess liquid back over the top of the freezing mold, the liquid being at its freezing point; stopping the circulation of the liquid over the freezing mold and initiating a dump mode in which the freezing mold is heated and tilted to dump the frozen product into a receiving bin; detecting when the receiving bin has sufficient frozen product therein and stopping the production of more frozen product until some has been used; repeating the cycle orienting the freezing mold substantially vertically and starting the refrigeration equipment to freeze the product and repeat the cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing ham or the like comprising a ham holder adapted to hold the ham to be sliced and journalled for rotation so as to spin the ham, motor spinning the ham holder, rotatable slicer blade and motor spinning the blade and respective rams for moving the blade into cutting engagement with the ham while simultaneously moving it upwardly so as to cut a continuous spiral around the bone of the ham. Respective adjustment means are provided for adjusting the thicknesses of the slices of ham that are produced and for securing the respective order of moving the cutting blade away from the ham before it is brought upwardly or downwardly from its finishing position to its starting position.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an ice maker and dispenser for an area that is subject to microbiological contamination, such as a hospital, and including an ice manufacturing and an ice dumping unit having the improvement comprising a circular ice container and stirrer with an aperture through which ice shapes can be dropped, a cylindrical chute disclosed below the aperture for conveying the ice shapes outwardly through a door, a cantilever corkscrew impeller for moving the ice shapes along the chute and motors and drives for effecting rotation of the stirrer in the ice container and the impeller for moving the ice exteriorly of the door. The ice chute is cylindrical, smooth and easily cleaned and sterilized when the corkscrew impeller is removed. The corkscrew impeller is easily removed by way of a quick disconnect to facilitate its being cleaned and sterilized. A short cylindrical chute is provided upwardly into the ice container so as to be easily cleaned and sterilized.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically bagging material, such as ice, characterized by a carrier that is reciprocal between a rearward position where a measuring cavity is filled and a forward discharge position for discharging into an opened bag; a supply of flattened plastic bags below the carrier; means for pulling forwardly and upwardly simultaneously adjacent both edges of the forwardmost bag to facilitate filling; and appropriate drives and a plurality of cam and cam followers to effect reciprocation of the carrier and filling of the bags. After the bag is full it is released into a filled bag compartment; for example, responsive to a coin operated device. Desirably, after the bag has been filled, it is sealed so as to prevent spilling of the material. The forwardmost bag is separated completely. Difficulties with the prior art obviated.