Abstract: Dual foods pump arrangement that includes a pump manifold, two food pumps, and a rotary valve element removably located within the manifold. The rotary valve element is operated to selectively direct the flow of food product from the two food pumps in alternating fashion through a single manifold outlet. The food pumps are driven by servo actuated cylinders. A tool is provided for lifting the valve element from the manifold that includes a pivotal removal bar that can be attached to a top of the valve element.

Abstract: A patty-displacing end portion is provided for a plunger for a food patty-molding apparatus, the apparatus comprising an apparatus frame, a mold plate, the plunger and a heating element. The mold plate has at least one cavity and is mounted to move with respect to the frame in a direction to position the cavity between a fill position wherein the cavity is filled with food product material to form a molded patty, and a molded patty knockout position. The plunger is arranged to move vertically into the cavity to dislodge or knock the olded patty out of the cavity. The plunger has a body and raised formations or standoffs extending down from the body, the raised formations being numbered and positioned to be spread out over the body. The number and position of the raised formations provides a decreased contact pressure on the patty being dislodged.