Abstract: A method of fertilizing a plant comprises applying to a plant an effective amount of a composition comprising a product of a salicylic acid, a potassium polyphosphite, a potassium phosphite, and a potassium phosphate. The composition may be prepared by reacting salicylic acid, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid, and phosphorous acid.

Abstract: A method of fertilizing a plant comprises applying to a plant an effective amount of a composition comprising a product of a salicylic acid, a potassium polyphosphite, a potassium phosphite, and a potassium phosphate. The composition may be prepared by reacting salicylic acid, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid, and phosphorous acid.

Abstract: A method of fertilizing a plant comprises applying to a plant an effective amount of a composition comprising a product of a salicylic acid, a potassium polyphosphite, a potassium phosphite, and a potassium phosphate. The composition may be prepared by reacting salicylic acid, ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or potassium carbonate, phosphoric acid, and phosphorous acid.

Abstract: A process for producing precooked bacon slices comprising the steps of (a) conveying bacon slices through a spiral oven, (b) indirectly cooking the bacon slices in the spiral oven using a cooking medium which is circulated within the oven at a low rate sufficient to prevent the bacon slices from being displaced on the conveyor, and (c) adding steam to the cooking medium as necessary to at least reduce the percentage or substantially eliminate the presence of air in the cooking medium.

Abstract: An improved spiral oven and method for its use includes the step of using a forward/reversing fan to produce a first airflow and a second inverted airflow in the cooking chamber. The proportion of time each airflow occurs may be unbalanced within an oven residence time or cook cycle, and either airflow may begin the cycle. In addition, the fan velocity may vary so that the speed of the first airflow is different from the speed of the second airflow. A braking resistor allows the fan to quickly changeover between full-forward and full-reverse directions, while a programmable delay limits adjustments to the heat output control method until temperature variations caused by alternating between the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation have stabilized. Because of the reversing airflow pattern, the product cooks more evenly across the cook belt.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system includes a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end. The contact bar is sized to span a useable width of the belt and the load is sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the belt as the belt travels around the end roller. A rotational joint is provided for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from belt, the joint being arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the belt. A slot is provided for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the belt. The uppermost product-contact surface of the bar can be round, flat, or angled and can include grooves to reduce the amount of contact area.

Abstract: An apparatus, a loop burner element, and a method for surface-roasting a food product wherein the roasting apparatus comprises (a) a conveyor which carries the food product and (b) at least one non-linear ribbon flame burner element or element assembly which preferably applies a ribbon flame to at least the upper and side surfaces of the food product as it is conducted through the roasting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating a plant against a fungal and/or bacterial plant pathogen includes applying to a plant infected with a fungal and/or bacterial plant pathogen an effective amount of composition comprising a salicylate, potassium polyphosphite, and potassium phosphite. A method of fertilizing a plant and treating the plant against a bacterial and/or fungal plant pathogen includes applying to a plant an effective amount of composition comprising a salicylate, potassium polyphosphite, potassium phosphite, and potassium phosphate.

Abstract: An improved spiral oven and method for its use includes the step of using a forward/reversing fan to produce a first airflow and a second inverted airflow in the cooking chamber. The proportion of time each airflow occurs may be unbalanced within an oven residence time or cook cycle, and either airflow may begin the cycle. The first airflow creates a flow across the cook belt predominantly at the top and bottom tiers, whereas the second airflow creates this flow predominantly in the middle tiers. A braking resistor allows the fan to quickly changeover between full-forward and full-reverse directions. Because of the reversing airflow pattern, the product cooks more evenly across the cook belt.

Abstract: A system and method for pasteurizing the surface of a food product includes a flame pasteurizing means arranged to transfer heat to an outer layer of the food product as it is carried by a cook belt. The flame pasteurizing means provides a medium that engulfs more than 50% of the surface area of the skin or outer layer and raises the temperature of the outer layer to at least 145° F. (about 62.8° C.). A washing means, arranged at an exit point of the flame pasteurizing means, removes the raised temperature outer layer and stops heat transfer to an adjacent inner layer of the food product. The pasteurized and washed product retains the same color and flavor as that of the unpasteurized product.

Abstract: An improved spiral oven and method for its use includes the step of using a forward/reversing fan to produce a first airflow and a second inverted airflow in the cooking chamber. The proportion of time each airflow occurs may be unbalanced within an oven residence time or cook cycle, and either airflow may begin the cycle. In addition, the fan velocity may vary so that the speed of the first airflow is different from the speed of the second airflow. A braking resistor allows the fan to quickly changeover between full-forward and full-reverse directions, while a programmable delay limits adjustments to the heat output control method until temperature variations caused by alternating between the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation have stabilized. Because of the reversing airflow pattern, the product cooks more evenly across the cook belt.

Abstract: A composition which provides bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activity when treating plants with effective amounts. The composition comprises the blending of: (1) an aqueous salicylate solution from salicylic acid reacted in an aqueous media with ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; (2) a reaction mixture that provides fungicidal activity and fertilizers plants when applied in an effective amount and which comprises potassium phosphates, potassium polyphosphate, potassium phosphites, and potassium polyphosphite and potassium phosphate phosphite copolymers; and, optionally, (3) aqueous potassium acetate.

Abstract: The composition provides herbicidal, fungicidal and/or nutritional activity to genetically engineered crops in a single application and comprises an aqueous composition of: (1) a glyphosate salt; and, (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: potassium phosphite, potassium polyphosphite or any combinations; and, wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:4 to about 1:1 and where the concentration of (1) is applied at the rate of between 0.47-4.13 lbs/acre.

Abstract: A process for preparing pieces of textured vegetable protein (“TVP”) suitable as meat substitutes includes the steps of selecting TVP pieces, preparing a marinade solution, marinating the TVP pieces, and cooking the marinated TVP pieces by themselves or with meat. The cooked TVP pieces may then be dehydrated, frozen, or added to other food as cooked. The marinade solution includes polysaccharides or proteins that infiltrate the pores of the TVP and gelatinize therein during the cooking step, thereby modifying the texture of the TVP pieces. Edible oils may be added to the marinade. A cooked TVP piece prepared by the process has a texture and flavor similar to those of a cooked meat.

Abstract: The composition provides herbicidal, fungicidal and/or nutritional activity to genetically engineered crops in a single application and comprises an aqueous composition of: (1) a glyphosate salt; and, (2) a phosphite selected from the group consisting of: potassium phosphite, potassium polyphosphite or any combinations; and, wherein the molar ratio of (1) to (2) is about 1:4 to about 1:1 and where the concentration of (1) is applied at the rate of between 0.47-4.13 lbs/acre.

Abstract: A composition which provides bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activity when treating plants with effective amounts. The composition comprises the blending of: (1) an aqueous salicylate solution from salicylic acid reacted in an aqueous media with ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; (2) a reaction mixture that provides fungicidal activity and fertilizes plants when applied in an effective amount and which comprises potassium phosphates, potassium polyphosphate, potassium phosphites, and potassium polyphosphite and potassium phosphate phosphite copolymers; and, optionally, (3) aqueous potassium acetate.

Abstract: A system for dividing a flow of objects into two or more lanes of object flow, the system comprising a first conveyor configured to transport a plurality of objects, the conveyor having a transportation plane and plurality of substantially planar regions elevated above and substantially parallel to the transportation plane, the plurality of substantially planar regions each being configured to hold at least one of the plurality of objects being transported; a second conveyor substantially adjacent to the first conveyor; and a guide mounted above the transportation plane and the planar regions of the first conveyor, the guide configured to divert an object positioned on one of the substantially planar regions elevated above the transportation plane onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an aqueous composition that is a combination of a fungicide and fertilizer comprising the following steps: (1) dissolving phosphorous acid in phosphoric acid to form a solution of an acid mixture; (2) reacting the acid mixture of step (1) with an aqueous hydroxide solution creating an exothermic reaction under pressure; and, (3) cooling the reaction product to between about 35° C. to about 65° C. The reaction product prepared according to the above process can also be used as a bactericide.

Abstract: A composition that provides a combination of bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal, hormonal and nutritional activity when treating plants in an effective amount. The composition is an aqueous ammonium salicylate, potassium salicylate, and potassium acetate solution consisting essentially of: a first reaction product of salicylic acid and ammonium hydroxide reacted in an aqueous media with ammonium hydroxide and further reacting with a second reaction product made by combining potassium acetate and potassium hydroxide. Urea and primary nutrients, secondary nutrients and micronutrients can be subsequently added to the composition.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an aqueous composition that is a combination of a fungicide and fertilizer comprising the following steps: (1) dissolving phosphorous acid in phosphoric acid to form a solution of an acid mixture; (2) reacting the acid mixture of step (1) with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution at a temperature of about 65° C. to about 260° C. in a continuous reactor while maintaining the ratio of potassium to phosphorous in various mole ratios thereby forming a reaction mixture comprising potassium phosphates, potassium polyphosphates, potassium phosphites, and potassium polyphosphites and potassium phosphate phosphite copolymers; and, (3) cooling the reaction mixture rapidly at least 1° C. to 60° C., to below about 35° C. to about 65° C. Using a similar process a composition having fungicidal properties is prepared by reaction phosphoric acid with potassium hydroxide. The reaction mixtures prepared according to each of the above processes are also part of this invention.