Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for preparing a food article (300) such as a corn dog. The apparatus includes a frame (10) mounting a loading station (50), a dipping station (162), a frying station (190) and an unloading station (220). The loading station (50) inserts one end (306) of a stick (302) into the food article (300) and the other end (304) into an aperture (40) in a stick bar (38). The stick (302) and food article (300) are held in the aperture (40) by a spring loaded plunger (310) extending into the aperture (40). The spring loaded plunger (310) holds the stick (302) and food article (300) on the stick bar (38) while the food article (300) is dipped in batter at the dipping station (162) and fried at the frying station (190). The cooked food article (300) and stick (302) are removed from the stick bar (38) at the unloading station (220) for shipment to the customer.

Abstract: A kebab machine (10) is disclosed for inserting sticks (12) into various food components (14a-f), such as meat, vegetables and the like, automatically. The food components are held within carriers (500, 600) while the individual sticks are conveyed by a stick conveyor (22). The sticks are driven through the carriers (500, 600) and food components therein to form the kebab. As the carriers (500, 600) pass over a sprocket (66), adjacent carrier elements (502, 602) tilt relative each other with finger like extensions (504, 506, 604, 606) tilting up to release and eject the kebabs from the carriers for further processing.

Abstract: A kebab machine (10) is disclosed for inserting sticks (12) into various food components (14a-f), such as meat, vegetables and the like, automatically. The food components are held within carriers (16) while the individual sticks are conveyed by a stick conveyor (22). A jet of air from air jets (24) drive a pair of sticks into an insertion device (400) where smooth belts (402) drive by rotating rollers (452) drive the sticks through the carriers (16) and food components therein to form the kebab.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading food for alignment with food sticks is provided. A food bin stores the food to be processed. The bin is filled with food which is gravity fed into J-shaped sections of a food conveyor belt. Concurrently, a stick conveyor system carries and aligns food sticks with the food. When the correct number of food items is aligned with the food sticks, the sticks are automatically inserted into the food items.

Abstract: A reciprocating food pump for pumping viscous edible material has the cylinder removably clamped to a base plate. The piston of the pump cylinder is actuated by a reciprocating, compressed air motor having a common piston rod connecting the air piston and pump piston. The air cylinder is pivoted to the base plate so that the pump cylinder may be unclamped from the base plate and moved upwards sufficiently to pull the cylinder away from the piston. A rotating plug valve is used on the end of the pump cylinder. The plug is held in place by a stem extending through a flat valve plate. A seal is placed between a sleeve on the end of the valve stem and the valve plate and another seal between the valve stem and the sleeve. Upon each suction stroke of the pump, the vacuum within the pump pulls the valve plug within the cylinder, which will be transmitted to the stem, and increase the pressure between the sleeve and the flat valve plate insuring a good seal upon each suction stroke.

Abstract: A machine for preparing and cooking corn dogs which are batter coated weiners upon a stick has a fry tank and coating bin mounted on a frame. Food articles are impaled by sticks driven through clasps in holes in a stick clamp. The food articles are dipped into a coating substance by elevation of the coating bin. The articles are elevated by rotating or flipping them above the lip of the fry tank and immersed in hot grease within the fry tank, cooked, and then elevated by rotating or flipping them out of the fry tank. The sticks are unclasped from the stick clamps and placed on a receiving tray. Thermostatically controlled heating elements suspended above the floor of the tank heat the grease.

Abstract: A process for preparing and cooking corn dogs which are batter coated weiners upon a stick has a fry tank and coating bin mounted on a frame. Food articles are impaled by sticks driven through clasps in slots in a stick clamp. The food articles are dipped into a coating substance by elevation of the coating bin. The articles are elevated by rotating or flipping them above the lip of the fry tank and immersed in hot grease within the fry tank, cooked, and then elevated by rotating or flipping them out of the fry tank. The sticks are unclasped from the stick clamps and placed on a receiving tray. Thermostatically controlled heating elements suspended above the floor of the tank heat the grease.