Abstract: A process for preparing a grained confection from a supersaturated sugar solution on a continuous basis is provided. A homogeneous aqueous solution comprised of corn syrup and sucrose is continuously fed to a heating apparatus having an inlet and an outlet with the heating means interposed therebetween to provide an increasing temperature to the solution from the inlet to the outlet. The solution is heated to a predetermined temperature and water vapor is continuously separated from the solution to form a sugar solution of a predetermined concentration which is supersaturated at up to 185.degree. F. The concentrated sugar solution is continuously cooled in 33 seconds or less to below its saturation temperature and a fine grained confection is produced having minute crystals therein.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vacuum screw loader deaerates meat emulsions and meat chunk mixtures, and loads the deaerated product to a forming or casing station. A sealed vacuumized hopper has a lowermost auger for force-feeding processed product through an outlet in the bottom of the hopper to a positive displacement pump in communication with the next processing station. An agitator overlying the auger within the hopper serves to expose air pockets in the meat emulsion for more complete removal of entrained air. An inlet in the hopper positioned well above the normal product level is particularly sized to form a free-falling, film-like flow of product as the hopper is loaded whereby to expose maximum product surface area to the vacuum environment.

Abstract: A dryer is provided with interacting heat transfer stator and rotor for improved processing capability. The stator comprises a stationary row of planar heat exchange banks supported within the vessel of the dryer. The rotor has a complemental number of annular heat exchange vanes interleaved between the heat exchange banks of the stator to create desired low-level agitation of the processed material as the rotor turns and to provide increased heat transfer efficiency. The vanes on the rotor and the banks of the stator each comprise an open grillwork of tubular members whereby the processed material may flow freely through the vanes and banks for additionally increased heat transfer efficiency and reduced residence time for the material.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly with open mode capabilities has markedly simplified construction. A shiftable ring on the shaft is axially biased against a complemental, stationary shoulder circumscribing the shaft to form a pair of radially spaced annular seals concentric to the shaft. A fluid pressure port on the shoulder intermediate the seals permits selective shifting of the ring away from the shoulder to open the annular seals and place the seal assembly in the open mode wherein the shaft may be rotated without wearing the seals. In preferred forms, the seal assembly is provided with a vent between it and the shaft bearing to relieve pressure against the bearing when the seal assembly is shifted to the open mode, and also to serve as a leak indicator.

Abstract: A flexible mechanical coupling for torque transmission is capable of being connected and disconnected by only manual manipulation. The collar of the coupling has diametrically opposed cutouts in its sidewall for loosely receiving complementally shaped resilient locking members which in turn are held in place by a sleeve telescopically disposed over the collar. Flats formed in the shaft beneath each cutout are engaged by the respective members for locking the shaft and the collar against relative rotation. A removable roll pin passing through the shaft and the resilient members restricts axial movement between the collar and shaft. The sleeve is releasably restrained in position over the locking members by a pair of manually removable elastic bands on the collar. One embodiment of the invention provides the manual connection feature for both shafts in the coupling, while in the preferred embodiment only one shaft in the coupling has this feature.