Abstract: A method and apparatus for serving confectioneries comprises a first base support member having a second support member positioned thereon. The second support member is smaller in plan than the base support member thereby defining a peripheral ledge or tier. Cupcakes or other similar confectioneries may be placed on the ledge and on top of the second support member and an illusion of a traditional multi-tiered birthday cake is created. Yet, each cupcake or confectionery is available to be readily removed by children of the earliest ages and consumed without the need for plates or utensils.

Abstract: A conveying system includes a first continuous belt supported horizontally at two ends by a pair of rollers. A plurality of balls are mounted to the belt for rotation. A second conveyor belt is positioned within the space between the rollers defined by the upper and lower portions of the first belt such that the upper surface of the second belt contacts the balls of the first belt. As the two belts are rotated, articles may be conveyed by the first belt and rotation of the balls by the second belt causes the articles to move diagonally over the upper surface of the first belt whereupon they may be justified to one side or the other of the belt.

Abstract: Label applier of an automatically operated label applying system is selectively controlled by a machine operator to rotate self-adhesive labels to any of a variety of different angular orientations in response to interception of a driving bevel gear at a predetermined position. A driven pinion gear which carries a vacuum wand with a vacuum gripper on an end thereof rotates the wand and label to any one of 90, 180 or 270 degrees, depending on which of three intercepting pins is activated under selective control of an operator. In the event no intercepting pin is activated, the drive gear rotates through the same angle as its supporting shaft and effectively avoids rotation of the driven gear and turning of the label. The label applier is remotely controlled by automatic means, thereby avoiding the necessity to make manual changes to the applier each time a new angular orientation becomes necessary.

Abstract: A vertically extending base of rectangular cross section with an upwardly opening compartment therein is telescopically received within the similarly configured downwardly opening chamber of an overlying housing. The upper end of the base removably mounts a cutter plate. The top panel of the housing removably mounts a palm-held power unit. The power unit, through a central opening in the top panel, mounts elements which secure a vegetable for rotation by the power unit as the housing is moved downwardly over the base for engagement of the vegetable progressively with the cutter plate. The components disassemble and store in nested relation to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for two-sided cooking comprises one or more upper housing assemblies each having a pair of spaced bayonette members which are removably insertable in a holster brackett. The bracket is readily attachable to the rear of a conventional cooking grill thus retrofitting the grill conveniently for two-sided cooking. A plurality of lightweight platens are mounted in the upper housing by quick release pins which permit the upper platens to float relative to the housing. Because of the lightweight, multiple and floating nature of the upper platens, the housing can be lowered to the grill surface as to completely enclose the items being cooked, thus containing heat and trapping moisture in the cooked product. In addition, food products having differing thicknesses can be cooked simultaneously without appreciable sticking.

Abstract: An elevator-type package wrapping machine which determines as by premeasurement the length of packages fed at a first level thereto, comprises a film gripper for initially drawing a fixed length of stretch film horizontally from a supply roll to a fixed stop position in the machine. While the film is held by the film gripper, a package which has one edge thereof at a predetermined distance from the fixed stop position is elevated to a second level above the level of the gripper into the film such that the package draws a first addition to the length of film drawn by the gripper, according to the height of the package. A vertically-moving horizontal bar is moved into contact with the film remote from the fixed stop position to pull a second additional length of film from the film source in accordance with the measured package length, if required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for printing and applying labels to packages which can vary in height over a large range, for example from a minimum height of 0.5 inches to and including a maximum height of 5.5 inches. A label applier is pivotally mounted and gravity biased toward a lowermost position adjacent a package conveyor with the label applier being upwardly pivoted by packages passing thereunder to accommodate the wide range of package heights. Packages are sensed on the conveyor as they move toward the label applier which prints and holds labels with the adhesive coated sides of the labels unexposed until the expiration of periods of time based upon package sensing. By timing label application to occur upon the expiration of such time periods, the labels are applied to preferred areas of the upper surfaces of the packages adjacent either the leading side edges or the trailing side edges of the packages as defined by direction of package conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: Slicing machine has a protective knife or blade edge guard for that portion of the periphery of the circular knife which is not coverable by the conventional gauge plate during sharpening of the knife edge or cleaning of the face and rearside of the knife. The blade edge guard is fastened to a bearing block for the shaft which supports and drives the knife, by means of spaced spokes extending from the block to the guard. A parallel pair of the spokes support slotted plates which mount a knife sharpener having stones for grinding and honing the edge of the knife. The sharpener has fixed pins on a body portion thereof, which pins cooperate with open-ended slots in said plates to enable the sharpener to be readily moved between inactive and active positions and removable for cleaning, all with one hand positioning or movement of the sharpener.

Abstract: An article conveyor and package aligner comprises a pair of guide members converging from an infeed station to an outfeed station, a conveyor for moving articles toward the outfeed station, and a pair of levers, one connected to each guide member, below the conveyor. The levers are cantilevered, each carrying a latching pin or roller and a notch cooperating with a similar pin and roller and notch on the other lever. The levers lie closely adjacent and cross each other so as to comprise an escapement mechanism which is in either an "at rest" condition, a locked condition or a released condition, depending on the position of a package traveling along the conveyor and the relation of that package to one or both of the guide members. A package contacting one guide member causes locking of the escapement mechanism and thereby of the guide member which is so contacted, forcing the package laterally until it contacts the other guide member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for printing and applying labels to packages which can vary in height over a large range, for example from a minimum height of 0.5 inches to and including a maximum height of 5.5 inches. A label applier is pivotally mounted and gravity biased toward a lowermost position adjacent a package conveyor with the label applier being upwardly pivoted by packages passing thereunder to accommodate the wide range of package heights. Packages are sensed on the conveyor as they move toward the label applier which prints and holds labels with the adhesive coated sides of the labels unexposed until the expiration of periods of time based upon package sensing. By timing label application to occur upon the expiration of such time periods, the labels are applied to preferred areas of the upper surfaces of the packages adjacent either the leading side edges or the trailing side edges of the packages as defined by direction of package conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: Automatic package shingling device deposits packages exiting from an end of a package conveyor onto an elongated platter moving in coordination with package movement below the package conveyor. Controls are provided to arrest package feed when a first platter is filled, until such time as a second, empty platter is placed into package-receiving position.