Abstract: An arrangement for use in a conveying and filling device where a conveyor is provided which travels along a linear path in a selected direction to carry articles, for example, recepticles to be filled. A dispensing device is carried by a mounting arm located in spaced relation from the conveyor and is carried by crank means to travel in an orbital path where the orbit carries the mounting arm in the direction of movement of the conveyor for the first portion of the orbit at the termination of which the orbital path returns the mounting arm to a second position relative to the conveyor for a second cycle over the conveyor, including a height adjusting arrangement to adjust the clearance between the mounting arm and the conveyor.

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.

Abstract: A downwardly and forwardly open shroud for a cooking station converges rearwardly and upwardly toward an outlet duct. A throat region of the shroud is provided with a removable panel having a slotted baffle. A gutter and sump are provided for catching condensate, grease and the like. The panel is easily removed for cleaning, for exchanging with a similar panel having a different size and/or shape of slotted baffle and the sump is placed for easy cleanout. Versions are shown wherein the shroud is wall-mounted at the cooking station or cart-mounted together with a mobile cooking station.

Abstract: In a preferred form a restaurant meat broiling range hood is integrated with a fiber bed-type mist eliminating apparatus. Assistance is provided in the preferred form by a pump to draw the gas stream through this apparatus. Electrical and plumbing control systems are shown provided as substantially pre-assembled units for ease of field installation. A unique cleaning system is provided, which is simple to conduct.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively supplying and placing a generally planar cover of selected peripheral configuration over a cooperative opening for container while the container is in motion where the opening is surrounded by an outwardly directed generally horizontal cover receiving first flange means where the first flange has an upwardly extending peripheral second flange adapted to fully receive the cover within the second flange so the opening to the container is surrounded by the first flange which is adapted to receive and support the cover around the peripheral edges of the cover within the second flange including: conveyor means to move the container along a selected axis at a relatively constant first velocity with the opening upwardly directed; cover supply means to supply a cover to engage the first flange and in a direction generally parallel to the direction of travel of the container from a location above the moving container so the cover is received on the first flange means within the sec

Abstract: A controller in the form of an insert for a microwave oven having apertures or openings therein, each of which is provided with an adjustable closure for controlling the amount of radiation reaching food being heated or cooked in the oven. The controller unit includes a radiation-opaque shield or panel supported in elevated relation to the bottom of the microwave oven with the apertures being provided in the panel at desired positions with the apertures being of different sizes and having closure members to enable the size of the apertures to be varied for more effectively controlling the amount of radiation engaging food products placed under the controller. A positioning attachment is provided for the controller unit to enable it to be placed accurately in the oven and to adjust the controller to a proper position for various commercially available microwave ovens.

Abstract: A powdered foods dispenser capable of dispensing multiple powdered foods for mixing with water externally of the dispenser for effective use in institutional meal service areas. The dispenser includes supply canisters for powdered foods and a dispensing mechanism associated therewith which is electrically operated for discharging a predetermined quantity of powdered food into an external receptacle with the dispensing mechanism for each powdered food being controlled by a manually actuated pushbutton and adjustable timer for controlling the quantity of powdered food dispensed. In one embodiment of the invention, as many as six different powdered foods may be dispensed with a supply of hot water also being available. In another embodiment of the invention, only two powdered foods, such as coffee and tea, are dispensed with the dispenser being convertible from free operation to coin controlled operation.

Abstract: A method of cooking foods in vacuum packages, in which the food is encased in a plastic pouch, the pouch is evacuated of air and sealed under high vacuum, the package is immersed in a thermostatically controlled hot water bath to cook the food, then quick chilled and stored at 28.degree.-32.degree.F.