Abstract: Filtering system which periodically filters cooking oil used in deep fat frying employs a flat, single sheet of filtering material pressed at its outer peripheral edge areas in sealing relationship against the bottom of a vessel having a sump area below the bottom surface. Filtered oil is pumped from the sump area back to the fry tank after filtering. The improvement includes the single sheet and a mechanism for applying downward thrust of the sheet edges against the bottom, such mechanism utilizing fixed ledge means in said vessel to act as an abutment or anchor for the downward thrust-applying elements. A removable filtering screen maintains the sheet above the bottom of the vessel and is preferably removably interconnected with the thrust applying mechanism during installation and removable of filtering sheets in filtering position.

Abstract: An elevator package wrapping machine comprises a film gripper for initially drawing fixed lengths of film into the machine. While the film is held by the film gripper and side clamps, a package is elevated into the film such that the height of the package draws a first addition to the film drawn by the gripper, if required. Film side and rear underfolders fold the lateral edges of the film and the rear edge of the film extending from the film source under the packages, respectively. A film cutter is provided for severing the film from its source as the packages are being wrapped, and the cutter is controlled such that the timing of its operation is based on package length. By timing the operation of the film cutter to correspond to package length, a second film addition may be drawn by the rear underfolder during package wrapping, if required.

Abstract: A food mixer of the planetary type has a detachable bowl scraper mounted on a supporting member for orbiting the beater. The mounting means comprises a bracket fastened to the main drive shaft of the mixer by means of a single bolt. The scraper includes an arm which is detachably mounted to the bracket. The bracket is restrained against angular movement about the bolt and the scraper arm is restrained against relative movement about the bracket when in operative position.

Abstract: A baffle assembly for a generally elongate heat exchanger tube of the type used in an atmospheric gas-fired heating appliance includes a perforated plate member formed in a V-shaped configuration and adapted to be secured within the heat exchanger tube in the path of combustion gases issuing from a heat exchanger. Ears formed integrally with the plate member engage the rearward end of the heat exchanger tube, and a rod extending forwardly of the plate member engages the forward end of the heat exchanger tube by means of a hook-shaped end portion formed thereon. The plate member is thereby secured within the heat exchanger tube such that combustion gases directed at the forward edge of the plate member are deflected outwardly against the side walls of the heat exchanger tube increasing the heat transfer rate thereto.

Abstract: A support for an appliance leg or the like, wherein the appliance includes a frame member to which an adjustable leg is attached, comprises a generally elongate base member having a relatively flat center portion and two upturned distal end portions. Guide means are connected to the center portion of the base member for suspending the base member in floating fashion from the frame member. Anti-friction means are secured to the underside of the base member for sliding contact with a floor. The support is installed to the frame member beneath a typical adjustable appliance leg such that the pad of the leg bears on the center portion of the base member. As so installed the support provides essentially a skid which allows for the ready adjustment of the leg while permitting the appliance to be freely moved across uneven or tiled floor surfaces.

Abstract: An electronic temperature control for a cordless ironing apparatus. The temperature of the sole plate of the iron is sensed by a thermistor embedded therein; the thermistor is part of an astable multivibrator circuit, and any change in temperature of the sole plate causes a change in resistance of the thermistor, and a corresponding change in frequency at the output of the multivibrator. This output drives an infrared LED, and the light emitted by the LED in the iron is sensed by a phototransistor in the base, which relays the sensed temperature information to a microprocessor therein which controls the current applied to the heating element accordingly, to maintain the desired temperature of the sole plate.

Abstract: A gas-fired convection oven comprises a cooking cavity having a centrifugal fan mounted on a rear wall thereof. A vertical shroud mounted adjacent to the fan forms a narrow heat exchanging chamber within the cavity. A heat exchanger comprising a generally U-shaped hollow tube extends within the heat exchanging chamber and is provided with outwardly directed jets on the leg portions thereof. A power jet burner surrounded by a secondary air passageway conduit communicate with an inlet into the heat exchanger. Means for baffling secondary air at the inlet to the heat exchanger provides for generally balanced flow of combustion products within both legs of the heat exchanger facilitating energy efficiency in the heating of the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A reconfigurable toy simulates a school bus when assembled in a first configuration. In a second configuration the constituent components of the toy bus may be selectively arranged to simulate a schoolroom enclosure having figurines and simulated school desks positioned therewithin. The components of the toy include a vehicle chassis, on which side wall panels and roof panels are supported. The side wall panels and roof panels may be placed on edge on a flat floor surface to simulate the walls of a schoolroom. Rounded projections formed on upper edges of the side wall panels cooperate with recesses formed in the roof panels thereby serving to facilitate ready alignment of the roof panels on the side wall panels when the toy is assembled in the school bus configuration.

Abstract: A refrigerated appliance for use as a salad bar includes an enclosure having a refrigeration unit mounted therein and a cooled food storage compartment. An upper wall of the storage compartment is provided with openings for receiving a plurality of foodstuff containers having bottom wall surfaces which extend into the compartment. An air inlet opening from the refrigeration unit is disposed proximate to the upper wall of the compartment and cool air issuing therefrom is directed at the exposed wall surfaces of the containers. To concentrate the air flow at the containers a duct surrounds the air inlet opening and is spaced closely from the containers. A free end of the duct is open to the storage compartment for circulation of the air through the compartment.

Abstract: A food slicer mountable within a kitchen work unit support frame and comprising a slicer body with a removable infeed ramp. The slicer body includes aligned upper and lower platforms defining a slot therebetween. The adjacent edge of the upper platform forms the slicing blade. The ramp is positioned in overlying relation to the lower platform and includes opposed end edges of different height which, upon selective alignment below the blade edge of the upper platform, vary the effective height of the slot and the thickness of the slice.

Abstract: A container system for shells comprising an elongate tubular housing defining a chamber having an open end and a closed end with a projectile-receiving seat at the closed end. A projectile carrier encircles the base portion of a container-received projectile and extends forwardly therefrom through a projectile-surrounding support. The chamber, immediately outward of the projectile, receives a projectile case with the open end of the case inwardly directed and closed by a removable plug which presents a rearwardly opening configuration receiving the ogive of the projectile. The container system, at the open discharge end of the housing, includes a carrier surrounding the case base. All of the components are closed within the chamber by a screw cap which in turn incorporates one or more viewing windows displaying indicia designating the nature of the contents of the container. The cap indicia is varied by rotation of an indicia ring accessible only from the interior of the cap prior to a mounting of the cap.