Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating food products under a temperature and humidity controlled atmosphere, the apparatus employing intermittent microwave heating in combination with infrared sensors adapted to initiate and terminate heating in response to measured changes in the temperature of the food product as a result to heat conduction to the center of the product while the microwave heating unit is turned off.

Abstract: The tunnel oven generally includes a long cooking compartment through which a conveyor transports food products. The conveyor is spaced from a front wall of the cooking compartment to provide an air return route and to provide a walkway to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the oven. A blower draws air from the cooking compartment and discharges air into an air distribution chamber formed in an upper portion of the cooking chamber and vertically spaced from the conveyor. A pair of plenums in the cabinet adjacent one edge of the conveyor deliver air from the distribution chamber to a plurality of air dispensing ducts communicating with the plenums on opposite sides of the conveyor for dispensing air onto opposite sides of the conveyor.

Abstract: An oven comprising a cabinet having a plurality of cooking cavities; air recirculating units for circulating air through each cooking cavity; humidity control apparatus for controlling humidity of air circulated through the cavity. Programmable controls regulate air flow through the recirculating units to provide controlled pulses of air of controlled temperature and humidity to provide a desired surface moisture content.

Abstract: The tunnel oven generally includes a plurality of spaced cooking compartments through which a conveyor transports food products. An air distribution chamber is formed in an upper portion of each cooking chamber and is vertically spaced from the conveyor. A blower draws air from the cooking compartment and discharges air into the air distribution chamber in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the conveyor. A pair of plenums in the cabinet adjacent one edge of the conveyor deliver air from the distribution chamber to a plurality of air dispensing ducts communicating with the plenums on opposite sides of the conveyor for dispensing air onto opposite sides of the conveyor.

Abstract: An impingement device (10) for preparing food product comprises an enclosure (12) having a conveyor (18) received therethrough for conveying food product through the enclosure (12). Positioned within the enclosure (12) and about the conveyor (18) portion therein are ducts (36) for impinging gas against the food product, a plenum (48) connected to the ducts (36) for supplying gas to the ducts (36), and an impeller assembly (44) for recirculating the gas within the enclosure (12). A heating source (40) or cooling source (340) is provided within a chamber (14) on the opposite side of the plenum (48) from the ducts and controls (26) are provided for regulating the temperature of the heat or cooling source. The plenum (48) is spaced inwardly from the walls of the enclosure (12) to provide return flow around the plenum.

Abstract: Apparatus for thermally treating food products by impingement heating or cooling, comprising a plenum having a plurality of inwardly inclined front wall panels adapted to direct the flow of a temperature-controlled gas through at least one elongated plenum outlet port in fluid communication with a duct assembly comprising an elongated manifold coextensive with the elongated plenum outlet port and providing substantially unobstructed fluid communication between the elongated plenum outlet port and a plurality of tapered ducts having at least two inwardly inclined walls, including at least one inwardly inclined side wall.

Abstract: An apparatus to transfer heat to a product is disclosed. In one arrangement, the apparatus includes a cabinet which forms a product input port, a product output port and a product support means including a conveyor in the cabinet for transporting the product from the input port to the output port while heat is transferred to the product. Products can be accessed while on the conveyor, including putting products on the conveyor and taking products off the conveyor so that the length of time that a product is heated can be varied while maintaining a substantially constant conveyor speed. One arrangement includes a side loading door for putting products on the conveyor, taking them off of the conveyor and manipulating the products while on the conveyor so that the ordinary heating cycle is altered. The loading door includes a panel hingedly connected to the bottom edge of the opening, movable about an axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position internal to the cabinet.