Abstract: A sheet metal pallet assembly includes a deck and an undercarriage. The deck is reinforced about its outer edges by longitudinal and transverse perimeter girding. The deck is further reinforced by one or more transverse reinforcement ribs and interior longitudinal girding. The undercarriage is composed of left and right fork tube risers joined together by bridges. The fork tube risers are configured to receive the tines of a forklift. Each fork tube riser has inner and a outer legs, each splayed at an a respective angle. Preferably, the splay angle of the outer leg is greater than the splay angle of the inner leg. The ends of each fork tube riser are folded over with a hem to improve strength and present a blunt edge. The undercarriage may, optionally, be fabricated from a single monolithic piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A sliding engagement is described for a stacking delivery tray having a sliding surface that has a break. The sliding engagement includes at least one ramp on the sliding surface providing an inclined sliding transition to an end of an overlying tray sliding along the sliding surface in order to traverse the break in the sliding surface.

Abstract: A prebake equipment for drying a substrate (105) and an air discharge method, the prebake equipment comprising: a bottom plate (105), a periphery frame (101) and an upper cover plate, the bottom plate (105) and the upper cover plate being spaced from each other, the periphery frame (101) being provided between the bottom plate (105) and the upper cover plate such that the bottom plate (105), the periphery frame (101) and the upper cover plate define a cavity, wherein discharge holes are provided at the periphery frame (101) and a filler (104) for filtering moisture and dust in the air stream is provided between the bottom plate (105) and the periphery frame (101).

Abstract: An end support unit for supporting the ends of at least one front and one rear cross beam including: a front support post having a column of slots along its length for receiving at least one slot engaging member of the front cross beam; a rear support post having a column of slots along its length for receiving at least one slot engaging member of the rear cross beam; an upper brace fixedly extending from the upper end of the front support post to the upper end of the rear support post; a lower brace fixedly extending from the lower end of the front support post to the lower end of the rear support post; and a diagonal brace extending diagonally between the front support post and the rear support post.

Abstract: A tray, for example, a drying tray, a method for drying, and a structural member engagement system are provided. The drying tray includes at least one perforated panel; and a frame adapted to support the perforated panel. The frame may include a plurality of interconnecting plastic support members adapted to receive the perforated panel. The tray may be used to dry fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. A method of using the tray and a structural member engagement system are also disclosed The member engagement system includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and a plug and pin adapted to engage the first member with the second member.

Abstract: A pan-like support element designed to be hung, in use, for transporting sheet material throughout a sheet material working plant, is described. The support element includes at least one plate-like body for supporting the sheet material, a holding portion extending from a surface of the plate-like body, a hanger at the rear for engagement with dragging and support structure of the plant, and a holding portion including at least one lug rising from the plate-like body, or from a base element that is secured to it, and supports a top transverse element extending parallel to the plate-like body and transversal to the front-rear direction.

Abstract: A tray dryer is provided that has tray stack with trays that rotate about an axis. A material leveler is stationary with respect to the rotating trays and has a leveling surface that engages the product. The material leveler has a plurality of prongs that engage the product and that in combination with the leveling surface form a series of rows in the product on the upper surface of one of the trays. The material leveler does not function to hold the product for transfer to a subsequent tray of the tray stack.

Abstract: A system and method directed to a countertop oven comprising a powerhead or power unit, a dome, and a base, which may include a stainless steel pan, and/or a plastic base, adaptable to receive a dehydrating adapter, base, and/or one or more dehydrator trays. According to exemplary embodiment, the powerhead may include a sensor to detect when the powerhead has been inserted in the dehydrator adapter, according to an exemplary embodiment. The power unit may be detachably connectable to the dehydrating enclosure and a cooking enclosure dome. The power unit and the cooking enclosure may collectively combine into a multi-stage counter-top electric oven. The power unit and the dehydrating enclosure may also collectively combine into a dehydrator. The dehydrating enclosure may include a plurality of stackable dehydrating trays through which dehydrating air is circulated from the power unit.

Abstract: A tray, for example, a drying tray, a method for drying, and a structural member engagement system are provided. The drying tray includes at least one perforated panel; and a frame adapted to support the perforated panel. The frame may include a plurality of interconnecting plastic support members adapted to receive the perforated panel. The tray may be used to dry fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. A method of using the tray and a structural member engagement system are also disclosed The member engagement system includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and a plug and pin adapted to engage the first member with the second member.

Abstract: The invention produces equipment for drying bales of forage comprising: at least one unit for generating hot air (30) channeled onto at least one pair of treatment units (A, B) stack one over the other, each having a rectangular bottom chamber (2, 5) and top chamber (4, 6), kept apart by spacing devices (40, 41; 60, 61; 103, 104) supporting the top chamber above the bottom chamber, and where one or more telescopic columns (A1, A2, A3; B1, B2, B3) set between the bottom chamber and the top chamber transfer the hot air from the bottom chamber to the top one. The bales are set in each treatment unit between the bottom chamber (2, 5) and the top chamber (4, 6) stacked in two layers so that they can be dried by the countercurrent flow of hot air. One or more of the telescopic columns (A3; A1, A2) is provided with shutoff dampers (20; 101, 102) suited to opening/closing the air flow from the bottom treatment unit (A) to the top treatment unit (B).

Abstract: Jet ventilated trays for a fluidizer conveyor for processing particulate material permit gas to pass up through slots between the slats, and sufficient gas passes through the slots to prevent fine particles falling through the trays. The ventilated tray has a plurality of slats arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the particulate material on the conveyor, adjacent slats overlap in the direction of travel leaving longitudinal slots at leading edges of top slats for gas flow therethrough. The use of a wet particulate material on the tray allows scrubbing and filtering applications.

Abstract: A product tray (3) has a bottom (7), which is improved in respect to heat transfer between a heating plate (8) and the product (9). The bottom (7) is made of a flexible, thin, heat-resistant material. It therefore can make a good form fit to the heating plate (8) under good heat contact, in particular when weighted down by the product (9).

Abstract: A horizontal cooler/dryer having a continuous traveling conveyor, the conveyor being a chain conveyor formed of a plurality of links adjoined in end-to-end relationship, each of the links being pivotally pinned at its ends to adjacent links; a housing about the conveyor, the housing having a cooling gas inlet, a gas exhaust, a product inlet through which material to be cooled may be deposited on the conveyor and a product outlet through which cooled material can be discharged; and a plurality of non-perforate material pans mounted to the conveyor in juxtaposed overlapping relationship to form a substantially continuous surface about the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying electrophoresis gels. The apparatus includes a base unit and gel drying frame assembly. The base unit serves as a both a support for the frame when placing the gel in the frame and as a receptacle for excess liquid used to prepare the gel for the drying process. The frame is used to securely hold the gel in place while preparing the gel for drying and also during the drying process itself.

Abstract: A dish drier including a housing having an inner vertical wall, an outer vertical wall, the inner vertical wall being provided with a plurality of rails, a plurality of racks supported on the rails, a groove formed between the inner vertical wall and the outer vertical wall, two doors slidably fitted in the groove, a recess formed at a lower portion, and a receptacle received in the recess, a container mounted on a top of the housing, a steam generator installed in the container, a hot air blower arranged in the container, a first inverted U-shaped member mounted on an inner vertical wall of the housing, having a plurality of perforations, and connected with the steam generator, and a second inverted U-shaped member mounted on an inner vertical wall of the housing, having a plurality of perforations, and connected with the hot air blower.

Abstract: The present food dehydrator may be substantially cylindrical in shape including a base member, an air heating and circulation means, a plurality of stackable trays, and a top. Each tray includes an outer wall structure and a platform section which may be separated from each other. Removal of a platform section when the trays are stacked allows for dehydration of larger items, and otherwise allows for easier cleaning of the tray and for replacement of the platform section. Attachment and detachment is performed by rotation of the platform section with respect to the outer wall structure. A method of forming the two-piece tray for the dehydrator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drying rack with multiple wire framed shelves with at least one spacer support shaft and a spacer for each wire framed shelf, wherein the spacer comprises (a) a member having a perimeter, preferably a substantially cylindrical member having a substantially circular perimeter, opposing faces, and a central longitudinal axis, (b) a slot extending inwardly or outwardly from the perimeter between the opposing faces along a line substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and (c) a hole extending inwardly from one face, such that the slot is capable of receiving the wire framed shelf and the hole is capable of receiving the spacer support shaft of the wire framed shelf.

Abstract: A dehydrator for vegetables or the like is provided. The dehydrator includes a base having a heating wire and a concealed plug, a plurality of circular containers engageable each with another, and a cover mountable on top of one of the circular containers. The dehydrator can be collapsed by increasing the engagement between the respective circular containers and inverting the cover, when not in use.

Abstract: Raw plums fed into a receiving tank and washer (1) are conveyed by a platform elevator (2) to a cord-type sizing device which enables their distribution toward two tray-carrying chains (5A and 5B). The trays are stacked on carts carried by platform elevators (8A and 8B). Once they have been filled, the carts can be transported to a cooking oven (9).

Abstract: In a furnace which allows a feed powder or granules in a stack of trays on a base plate to be reacted with a reactive gas, the improvement wherein each of the trays has a cutout or an opening providing a passage for the reactive gas or the produced gas both at the top of one side wall and in the bottom wall to the opposite side of the tray, the base plate having an opening through which the reactive gas is introduced or the produced gas is discharged.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a germination floor assembly having a perforation tray sheet affixed to a rectangular frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a pair of parallel side members interconnected by a pair of end cross frame members. A plurality of longitudinal ribs extend parallel to the side members between the cross frame members. Reinforcing cross bars further extend between the side members and the longitudinal ribs. The cross frame members and reinforcing cross bars have a unique configuration to provide unimpeded flow of liquid wash through the tray assembly during cleaning. A tray assembly is attached to an adjacent tray by a bolt assembly. The tray assembly may be attached to supporting I-beams by hold down clamps. In one embodiment risers are employed for enhanced free flow of liquid wash during cleaning.

Abstract: A simple coffee bean roasting device as disclosed which can be used as a container to store coffee beans in an airtight condition and is also capable of roasting the coffee beans easily and quickly by use of a home-use gas heater. The coffee bean roasting device is simple in structure and it is composed of a container of aluminum foil, a cover of a transparent cellophane, and a handle.

Abstract: A germination floor system for a malt plant having a plurality of pivotally mounted tray assemblies movable between a horizontal position for supporting grain during germination and an approximate upright orientation to provide access beneath the floor for cleaning. The tray assemblies are capable of being manually movable to the cleaning position or, alternatively, may be fitted with a pneumatic cylinder and/or spring devices to facilitate movement. In the vertical cleaning position, the individual tray assemblies are fixed in position to prevent injury to personnel beneath the structure.

Abstract: A germination floor system for a malt plant having a plurality of pivotally mounted tray assemblies movable between a horizontal position for supporting grain during germination and an approximate upright orientation to provide access beneath the floor for cleaning. The tray assemblies are capable of being manually moveable to the cleaning position or, alternatively, may be fitted with a pneumatic cylinder and/or spring devices to facilitate movement. In the vertical cleaning position, the individual tray assemblies are fixed in position to prevent injury to personnel beneath the structure. The tray assembly includes sheets that minimize the presence of exposed edges.

Abstract: One or more mesh-topped, extendable trays removably coupled to a motor-driven fan for causing forced air, normally at ambient temperature, to pass thru the mesh top or tops and thru one or more knitted or crocheted garments lying thereon, the flow of air into each tray being adjustable and an air diverter preferably being provided to assure equal distribution of forced air within each tray, the combination producing drying of the garment rapidly but without shrinking or other distortion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bowl for storing fruit or vegetables in such a manner as to minimize spoilage. The bowl is mounted on a pedestal and has holes in the bottom to permit the entrance of air. Formed on the inner surface of the bowl are a plurality of ribs which support the fruit or vegetables with minimal surface contact and also form channels for the flow of air therebetween.

Abstract: Roaster for green coffee beans and other beans and nuts comprising a dish or tray, preferably of lightweight, disposable construction having a rim of sufficient height to contain the beans or nuts during roasting and a bottom which is formed with openings, the number, size and pattern of openings being such as to support the beans or nuts yet to allow free and uniform flow of hot air and gases from below the roaster through a mass of beans or nuts on the bottom. The tray bottom is preferably formed with downward extensions of the material, e.g., material resulting from piercing the tray bottom. Also, the same roaster but with a downwardly extending rim or legs to support the bottom above an open source of heat and a cover fitting the upper edge of the rim with an opening permitting escape of air and gases. Also, such roasters with a supply of green beans or nuts to be roasted and a disposable cover or enclosure enclosing the roaster and beans. The roaster is preferably made of metal, e.g., aluminum foil.

Abstract: An improved fruit drying system particularly suited for large scale commercial drying application is disclosed, comprising a plurality of substantially rigid transparent hoods, each sized to be positioned over the fruit to be dried to increase the drying effect of solar radiation and including vent means for providing convectional air flow across the fruit during the drying process. The hoods are adapted to be arranged in a side by side orientation directly within the growing field and be rapidly interlocked to one another whereby a composite hood assembly is yielded. The hood assembly forms an effective shroud over the fruit which prevents exposure of the fruit to moisture and/or animal predators during the drying process.

Abstract: A frame for forming a tray having a plurality of slats, the frame having a pair of spaced substantially parallel assemblies, each having a pair of components engageable longitudinally of each other to form a plurality of slat receiving openings facing laterally of the assembly on a first side and obstructed on a second side of the assembly; a pair of rigid members disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation extending between and engaging corresponding opposite end portions of the assemblies in substantially right angular relation to form a frame of a substantially rectangular configuration with the first sides of the assemblies facing each other and with corresponding slat receiving openings of the assemblies aligned along substantially parallel paths between the rigid members of the pair; and fasteners securing together the components of each pair and the rigid members and the opposite end portions of the assemblies in the substantially rectangular configuration and releasable for the removal of one c

Abstract: There is described a deadplate comprising a support having a plurality of spaced channels in which are retained article-contacting strips of a material which stand proud of lands between the channels, the material being lubricious and of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An electrically operated dehydrator in the form of perforated trays stacked one on top of the other where the bottom tray is equipped with a blower-heater package and the top tray forms a solid cover. Air is drawn in by the blower from underneath the bottom tray, it is heated and then forced to rise through the perforated trays. A portion of the air is being recirculated into the blower through a central duct whereas the remainder of the air is allowed to bleed-out through a series of openings in the top.

Abstract: A barrier to minimize the percolation of moisture under fruit drying trays and the like, the barrier having a continuous panel of substantially impervious material folded to form walls positionable in peripherally conforming relation to a tray and being of sufficient rigidity to permit them to be inserted downwardly into the soil to form a subsurface barrier to moisture in the conforming relation.

Abstract: A tray for the field drying of fruit adapted to be rolled about the fruit during the curing thereof consisting of a flexible rectangular sheet of plastic material provided with longitudinally extending corrugations so that the sheet has greater flexibility transversely than longitudinally, the sheet having perforations in the valleys of the corrugations for drainage of rain water when the sheet is disposed flatly on the ground, tabs disposed to cover the perforations which are inverted when the tray is rolled about the fruit, and a hooked longitudinal edge adapted releasably to engage the opposite longitudinal edge when the tray is in the rolled condition.

Abstract: A machine for dehydrating food, as an aid toward preservation of food for extended periods of time. Intake air may be obtained from either the exterior of the machine or a combination of exterior and recycled air. Intake air is electrically heated and pressurized in a plenum chamber by a fan. The pressurized and heated air is released in a uniform laminer flow through a set of small openings, thence along horizontally disposed shelves containing the food to be dried. The air is then selectively discharged into the atmosphere or a portion thereof is recycled and combined with new intake air and again passed over the food to be dehydrated. The percentage of recycled air is selectively variable over a wide range. Removable frames support either solid sheets or screens having mesh openings of desired sizes which support the food to be dried. The choice of a solid sheet or the mesh size depends upon the type of food to be dried.

Abstract: A cylindrically shaped food dehydrator is disclosed including a base member, a plurality of stackable trays and a top member. The base member has a blower for moving air through the trays. The air flow in the trays moves from the circumference of the tray to the center of the tray.

Abstract: The energy required for forced air drying fruits such as raisins, grapes, prunes, etc. is decreased by from 25 to 50 percent by substituting trays of molded thermoplastic resin for the wood trays now in use. Part of the increased efficiency comes from better contact of the air with the fruit and the balance of the improvement comes from the elimination of water absorption which has heretofore been present in the wood trays. The plastic trays also have much longer life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting an efficient heat transfer between a shelf and a tray of a freeze drying apparatus. A unique method comprising the steps of placing two halves of the shelf on a bowed jig and welding together forms a hollow shelf having a substantially flat heat transfer surface on which a tray containing materials to be freeze dried may be placed. Throughout the shelf interior circulates a heat transfer fluid. The tray and the freeze drying chamber have mating hold-down rails which bias the tray against the shelf surface to effect superior heat transfer.

Abstract: A food dryer cabinet closed at one end by a door offset from the cabinet end providing an air space therebetween through which an exhaust flow passes. Hinge elements and a latch assembly cooperate to offset the door from the cabinet end. An electrical component housing of noncombustible material occupies the opposite end of the cabinet and isolates dryer electrical components from the cabinet for safety purposes. A plate member constitutes the back wall of the cabinet while additionally serving to secure the noncombustible component housing within the cabinet. A metal mesh member closes the housing and supports a baffle for desired air flow over the food articles being dried.

Abstract: A container for a growing media, e.g. compost, is disclosed as for use in the production of mushrooms. A plurality of individual container sections with the upper end open, having a depth generally in excess of 20 inches and a width under 16 inches, are affixed together in critically spaced-apart relationship to hold quantities of media. A peripheral, confining wall is provided above the container sections for supporting a common layer defining a continuous bed surface. As disclosed, the structure is fabricated of steel-wire mesh affixed to a frame of beam and column supports, and is lined, as with plastic film. Also as disclosed, a plurality of bed structures are affixed in stacked, spaced-apart tray configurations, for economy of space and handling.

Abstract: A rectangular wooden tray having a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of opposed end panels, and a bottom is carried by four wooden legs tied together by a system of cross bracing overlying the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: A retorting tray for sterilizing material sealed in flexible pouches. The tray comprises a base portion which forms a conduit for circulation of a heating medium therethrough. The base portion has edges extending therefrom terminating in a stackable feature whereby one tray can stack on the other. The base also has protuberances therefrom for spacing apart the flexible pouches in a substantially unmovable manner to control the maximum cross-section of the pouch and for providing a space for circulation of a heating medium about the flexible pouches to sterilize the contents.

Abstract: A meat spacer tray of molded plastic for freezing and storing meat is disclosed wherein an open array of holes, ribs, and connectors permit free circulation of air around meats placed thereon and, also, will hold odd-shaped cuts of meat such as hams.