Abstract: Apparatus for transferring heat between temperature controlled air dispensed from a pair of oscillating ducts and a food product in a cabinet having an interior compartment bounded by front, side and rear walls. A foraminous partition, having a central portion and extremities, is mounted to divide the interior of the cabinet into a cooking chamber and an air conditioning chamber. It is configured to encircle a portion of the cooking chamber such that the air conditioning chamber extends around a major part of the periphery of the cooking chamber wherein air is drawn along multiple paths toward side walls and toward the rear wall from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending a hot food product wherein a sealed container is moved from a protective sleeve and deposited in an oven where heat is transferred to the container for initially melting a protective sealing film and then heating the food product. After the food product has been heated, the container is removed from the oven and reinserted into the protective sleeve prior to dispensing the heated food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending a hot food product wherein a sealed container is moved from a protective sleeve and deposited in an oven where heat is transferred to the container for initially melting a protective sealing film and then heating the food product. After the food product has been heated, the container is removed from the oven and reinserted into the protective sleeve prior to dispensing the heated food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending a hot food product wherein a sealed container is moved from a protective sleeve and deposited in an oven where heat is transferred to the container for initially melting a protective sealing film and then heating the food product. After the food product has been heated, the container is removed from the oven and reinserted into the protective sleeve prior to dispensing the heated food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a product which includes a plurality of tapered ducts in a cabinet above and below a conveyor to form streams which are directed toward the product. Spent air is drawn through return ducts which have intake openings centered between entrance and exit openings in the cabinet and centered between lateral edges of a conveyor and between the tapered ducts to provide a balanced flow of spent air in the cabinet to the return opening. Temperature controlled gas is delivered at an angle through an array of openings adjacent opposite edges of an opening through which a conveyor extends to cause most of the heated air to be drawn to the return duct opening and to maintain internal pressure in the cabinet to prevent ingress and egress of air through the opening.

Abstract: An oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adjacent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: A conveyor system (28-30) includes a track (110) and a conveyor chain (70) for movement along the track. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical links (72) each including a first connection member (74), spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending plates (76) and a second connection member (78). The plates are connected to the connection members for pivotal movement about vertical axes, and the connection member of adjacent links are connected to each other for pivotal movement about horizontal axes thereby accommodating horizontal and vertical flexure of the conveyor chain. The conveyor chain (70) is actuated by a drive mechanism (180) including a drive chain (198) and chain engaging members (206) carried thereby which engage the conveyor chain along an arc having a substantial radius, thereby propelling the conveyor chain through the track (110) without subjecting the conveyor chain to periods of high acceleration.

Abstract: A method of providing an air circulation and exhaust control system for an oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adjacent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: An oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adjacent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: An oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adjacent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus, having a conveyor chain for movement through an elongated track. Each link of the conveyor chain carries a product supporting grid. There is a rocker on each product supporting grid, for securing a bakery pan in engagement with the product supporting grid during movement of the product supporting grid along the track under the action of the conveyor chain. Each rocker has an upwardly extending portion for engaging the bakery pan between a pair of compartments of the bakery pan. In one embodiment of the invention, the rocker has a second upwardly extending portion, one upwardly extending portion being centrally disposed, and the other being offset. Each rocker can pivot in a horizontal plane relative to the product supporting grid. Thus, a baking pan can go around a curve without binding. If a baking pan is large enough to be supported on two successive product supporting grids, the rockers on those grids can be aligned at all times.

Abstract: A conveyor system (28-30) includes a track (110) and a conveyor chain (70) for movement along the track. The conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical links (72) each including a first connection member (74), spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending plates (76) and a second connection member (78). The plates are connected to the connection members for pivotal movement about vertical axes, and the connection member of adjacent links are connected to each other for pivotal movement about horizontal axes thereby accommodating horizontal and vertical flexure of the conveyor chain. The conveyor chain (70) is actuated by a drive mechanism (180) including a drive chain (198) and chain engaging members (206) carried thereby which engage the conveyor chain along an arc having a substantial radius, thereby propelling the conveyor chain through the track (110) without subjecting the conveyor chain to periods of high acceleration.

Abstract: An oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adajcent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: A grouping system (10) includes parallel conveyor belts (28) for conveying the objects from the unloader system (14) to the oven-ready conveyor (24). A group end sensor (64) is moveable along the grouping system (10) between the conveyor belts (28). The sensor includes both forward and rearward sensors (128, 130) for sensing the proximity of pans at a predetermined separation in the direction of travel. The group end sensor moves forward until its forward limit is reached or the forward sensor senses an object representing the last stopped pan. The conveyor then moves at full speed until the rearward sensor senses the following pan. The conveyor speed is then reduced so that the pan contact does not damage the dough.

Abstract: A pan inverting apparatus comprises an input endless belt and an output endless belt, between which a revolving pan wheel is positioned. The pan wheel includes a plurality of transverse pan receivers opening radially outward to define the circumference thereof. Each pan to be inverted is guided into engagement with the input endless belt and against a movable stop. The stop is synchronized with rotation of the pan wheel to selectively release each pan for chambering into one of the pan receivers for rotation by the pan wheel. After approximately one-half revolution of the pan wheel, the inverted pans are individually engaged by the output endless belt for advancement out of the pan receivers. In the preferred embodiment, cushioning within the pan receivers helps to secure the pans and reduce noise. Preferably, magnets are located subjacent to the input and output endless belts to promote positive frictional engagement with the pans.