Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes a hood structure having one or more of (i) an exhaust flow infeed surface extending downward from a lower end of the filter unit that helps to feed the thermal plume toward the filter unit, (ii) a bypass flow transition surface extending upward from the upper end of the filter unit and then forward to aid bypass flow in circulating back toward the filter aperture and (iii) a front wall structure that includes a downwardly extending wall portion with a chamfered and/or curved transition portion at its lower end and a rearwardly extending wall portion.

Abstract: A modular range system and method utilizes a plurality of base units and a plurality of top units that may be assembled in numerous configurations to achieve a variety of range unit configurations. The top units may be preassembled with specific cooking system types prior to mounting onto the base units. Preassembled top units may each include a laterally extending gas manifold that can be coupled together upon range assembly to form a common, laterally extending gas manifold for the overall range unit. Range unit configurations are also described.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a housing and a cooking plate. Burners are located within the housing and below the cooking plate. A non-powered mechanical thermocouple probe is proximate to a pilot burner with a bi-metal element that produces an electrical signal when heated by the pilot burner. A pilot shutoff valve has an inlet connected to receive gaseous fuel from a gaseous fuel manifold, a pilot output connected to deliver gas to the pilot burner, a main burner output connected to deliver gas the burners, and a thermocouple probe input connected to receive the electrical signal produced by the bi-metal element. The pilot shutoff valve is biased to a default closed position where gas is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output. When the pilot shutoff valve is open, the pilot shut off valve permits gas to flow from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade for slicing bulk food product, a motor operably connected to the rotating blade, and a base portion located below the rotatable blade which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptacle operably connected to a scale, a visible indicia correlating to the distance between the gauge plate and rotatable blade, a blade sharpening assembly, a sled for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade for slicing bulk food product, a motor operably connected to the rotating blade, and a base portion located below the rotatable blade which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptacle operably connected to a scale, a visible indicia correlating to the distance between the gauge plate and rotatable blade, a blade sharpening assembly, a sled for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed food slicing machine including a rotatable blade (800, 2800) for slicing bulk food product, a motor (1400, 3400) operably connected to the rotating blade (800, 2800), and a base (100) portion located below the rotatable blade (800, 2800) which defines a food slice receiving area. The machine may be provided with a sliced food receptable operably connected to a scale (3900), a visible indicia (3502) correlating to the distance between the gauge plate (2500) and rotatable blade (2800), a blade sharpening assembly (900, 2900), a sled (200) for securing the food product and an operator adjusted optimum stroke setting system for automatic operation of the slicing machine.

Abstract: A ventilator includes a hood structure having an air inlet slot and a multi-position damper baffle within the hood structure. The damper baffle is movably positioned adjacent the air inlet slot for movement between (i) an exhaust cycle position in which the damper baffle allows gases to flow through the hood structure, (ii) a wash cycle position in which the damper baffle closes off the air inlet slot; and (iii) a fire cycle position in which the damper baffle divides the hood structure into an upper section and a lower section. A manifold and associated water control valve may also be provided, along with a motor for controlling damper baffle positioning, an exhaust fan for air flow, and with a controller being provided for automated operation. In an internal fire mode of the controller the damper baffle is moved to the fire cycle position, the exhaust fan is turned off and the water control valve is opened.