Abstract: Heat resistant and/or nonstick polymer materials and composites, and cookware including a food support surface comprising an integrated or attached cooking surface formed of the materials and composites. The cookware can includes a melt-processible fluoropolymer surface or insert. The cookware can further include a laminate material with structural rigidity, wherein the laminate material includes a flexible substrate impregnated with the heat resistant polymer material, coated with a nonstick coating, and pressed or molded in a shaped cookware or other nonstick items or component. Various cooking devices can be pressed from the material, as well as oven or vehicle components.

Abstract: Heat resistant and/or nonstick polymer materials and composites, and cookware including a food support surface comprising an integrated or attached cooking surface formed of the materials and composites. The cookware includes a laminate material with structural rigidity, wherein the laminate material includes a flexible substrate impregnated with the heat resistant polymer material and/or coated with a nonstick coating, and pressed or molded in a shaped cookware or other nonstick items or component. Various cooking devices can be pressed from the material, as well as oven or vehicle components.

Abstract: A flexible composite conveyor belt, such as for use as a belt wrapper in overlying combination with a metal belt in cooking or heating operations. The belt includes a protrusion attached to a flexible substrate. The protrusion includes an engagement surface adapted to secure the protrusion to a portion of the underlying metal belt to drive the belt at a same speed as the conveyor belt. Protrusions on opposing ends of the belt negate the need for conventional lacing in securing the ends of the belt together.

Abstract: A flexible composite conveyor belt, such as for use as a belt wrapper in overlying combination with a metal belt in cooking or heating operations. The belt includes a protrusion attached to a flexible substrate. The protrusion includes an engagement surface adapted to secure the protrusion to a portion of the underlying metal belt to drive the belt at a same speed as the conveyor belt. Protrusions on opposing ends of the belt negate the need for conventional lacing in securing the ends of the belt together.

Abstract: A fabricated part for a high temperature operation including a non-metallic substrate formed of a polymer fabric of woven non-absorbent polymer filament. The substrate is heat-resistant and heat set at a temperature that is above a predetermined operating temperature of an operation of the fabricated part. The heat setting pre-shrinks/heat stabilizes the material, thereby reducing failure during use in high temperature and/or wet applications. The substrate is useful as an endless belt and other applications. The invention further includes an apparatus with a heating device configured to operate at the predetermined operating temperature, and the fabricated part within or extending through the heating device.

Abstract: A drive or tracking apparatus for a non-metal endless conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced apart traction cleats molded from a polymer material and each extending outward from a surface of the endless conveyor belt. The cleats correspond to cup depressions formed in rollers for a conveying apparatus to provide positive drive and anti-slip features for the belt.

Abstract: A flexible composite conveyor belt, such as for use as a belt wrapper in overlying combination with a metal belt in cooking or heating operations. The belt includes a protrusion attached to a flexible substrate. The protrusion includes an engagement surface adapted to secure the protrusion to a portion of the underlying metal belt to drive the belt at a same speed as the conveyor belt. Protrusions on opposing ends of the belt negate the need for conventional lacing in securing the ends of the belt together.

Abstract: A drive or tracking apparatus for a non-metal endless conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced apart traction cleats molded from a polymer material and each extending outward from a surface of the endless conveyor belt. The cleats correspond to cup depressions formed in rollers for a conveying apparatus to provide positive drive and anti-slip features for the belt.

Abstract: A food support for holding food items during cooking in an oven. The food support includes a reinforcement structure including a perimeter frame extending around and defining a substrate placement area. At least one cross bar extends between two opposing portions of the support frame and beneath the substrate placement area. A removable and replaceable substrate insert is sized to be placed on the substrate placement area for receiving food items thereon. A securing element can be connected to the reinforcement structure for securing the substrate insert on the substrate placement area. A holding device including a holding surface connected to a clamping element, where the holding surface is adapted to support a bottom of the food support and the clamping element is adapted to clamp over a top surface of the food support, can be used to securely introduce and/or remove the food support from an oven.

Abstract: A rigid, durable non-metallic release laminate for holding food products during baking, cooking, toasting and other processing is provided. By eliminating the use of metal, the laminate of the invention can be readily manufactured in a variety of shapes and forms. The laminate can be used in a wide variety of ovens, including without limitation a conventional baking oven, microwave oven, toaster oven, convection oven, or multi-technology oven.

Abstract: A flexible composite conveyor belt, such as for use as a belt wrapper in overlying combination with a metal belt in cooking or heating operations. The belt includes a protrusion attached to a flexible substrate. The protrusion includes an engagement surface adapted to secure the protrusion to a portion of the underlying metal belt to drive the belt at a same speed as the conveyor belt. Protrusions on opposing ends of the belt negate the need for conventional lacing in securing the ends of the belt together.

Abstract: A conveyor belt device wherein a detectable coating, such as in the form of a thin film, overlies selected portions of a conveyor belt substrate surface. Suitable detectable coatings include materials that are inductive, conductive, magnetic, reflective, fluorescent and color-indicating or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are associated or corresponding conveyor belt assemblies and methods of making.

Abstract: A method for forming a flexible composite useful for forming belts that are processed into pressure sensitive tapes or converted into rolled goods. The method impregnates a flexible substrate with a polymer coating that includes a thermoplastic or thermoset resin that is not a fluoropolymer. The impregnating coating layer may also include a fluoropolymer. Additional fluoropolymer polymer overcoating layers are applied to the impregnating layer to form the flexible composite. The coating layers are applied as a liquid and dried.