Abstract: Coffee roasting apparatus having a first reactor in which green beans are roasted and a second reactor in which the roast is arrested and the beans cooled. Both reactors are capable of carying out the operations conducted in them in a continuous as opposed to batch-type manner. In both the roasting and cooling operations the beans are circulated in patterns which bring them into intimate and uniform contact with a process fluid to promote uniform and efficient heating and cooling of the beans.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steam peeling produce in a pivotally mounted pressure vessel in which a bath of water is provided in the bottom of the vessel for receiving the produce charged to the vessel in a relatively impact-free manner and which can be withdrawn prior to steaming the produce under pressure and then returned to aid in the discharge of the peeled produce.

Abstract: A food damp drying centrifuge for commercial use comprises a rollably supported cylindrical housing, removably supported within which is a cylindrical food spinner basket. A drive motor affixed to the underside of the housing has a drive shaft extending through the housing bottom and terminating in an octagonal drive head interconnectably receivable within a complementary recess integrally formed in the underside of the spinner basket. A pair of mutually coaxially journalled, separable cover members cover and enclose the housing and spinner basket, respectively, for placing the centrifuge in condition for centrifuging food placed in the spinner basket upon energization of the drive motor.

Abstract: In a rack oven for heating food products a rotatable rack suspension frame is mounted at the top of the oven chamber. The frame and the door of the oven chamber are vertically displaceable and mechanically connected with each other such that the opening of the door causes the frame to be lowered to place the rack on the floor and the door to be lifted, the lifting being aided by the weight of the rack, while closing of the door causes the door to be lowered and the frame to be lifted to lift the rack from the floor, this lifting being aided by the weight of the door. Swingable wings of the frame are aided by the weight of the rack to ensure a firm holding of the suspended rack in a centered position.