Abstract: An assembly for managing product overblow in a gas treatment system may include a first deflector assembly configured to substantially prevent product from leaving a product treatment zone of a product carrying unit of the gas treatment system. The assembly may further include a second deflector assembly configured to substantially direct overblown product that has left the product treatment zone into an overblow landing area separate from a heat exchanger assembly of the gas treatment system.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus (20) includes a spiral conveyor system (22) configured into an ascending spiral stack (26). An inner mezzanine (40) is disposed within the circular interior of the stack (26) and an exterior mezzanine (42) encircles the spiral stack. The mezzanines divide the processing chamber (32) into a plurality of processing zones. A sealing system (90) seals the interior mezzanine (40) relative to the spiral stack (26). A sealing system (130) seals the outer mezzanine (42) relative to the exterior of the spiral stack, and a seal system (132) seals the outer mezzanine relative to the walls (56, 58) of the housing, thereby to limit the leakage of the processing fluid between the mezzanines and the spiral stack (26) and housing walls so that as much as the thermal processing medium is possible is forced through the spiral stack for processing work products carried on the conveyor system (22).

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus (20) includes a spiral conveyor system (22) configured into an ascending spiral stack (26). An air balance tunnel (40) includes a tunnel housing (76) positioned inside of a thermal processing chamber adjacent an outlet opening (36). A conveyor belt (24) travels through the housing on its way out of the processing chamber. An air pervious ejector assembly (78) is positioned within the housing at an elevation above the conveyor belt (24). An air pervious evacuation sheet (80) is located within the housing at a location beneath the conveyor belt (24). An air pervious cover assembly (150) is positioned over the conveyor belt (24) at a location just before the conveyor belt enters the air balance tunnel (40). The cover sheet (150) is connectable to the ejector assembly (78) so as to remove the ejector assembly from the tunnel housing (76) by manually moving the cover assembly (150).

Abstract: A conveyor belt (36) is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit (32) and/or (34). A ceiling or top sheet (58) is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan (60, 62) draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the top of the stack above the ceiling or top sheet and through a heat exchanger (64). The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan thereby to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. At least one opening (70) is formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub. The outer wall of the drive hub is partially open thereby to provide an alternative flow path for the thermal processing medium to enter the spiral stack from the interior of the drive hub.

Abstract: A belt cooking apparatus (10) includes a lower frame structure (12) and an upper frame structure (14) in registry with the lower frame structure. A lower cooking conveyor belt (16) is supported by the lower frame structure (12) and correspondingly an upper conveyor belt (18) is supported by the upper frame structure (14). Heating element assemblies (20) are mounted on the lower frame structure (12) just below the lower cooking belt (16) as well as on the upper frame structure (14) just above the upper cooking belt (18). Food products are cooked while positioned between the upper and lower moving cooking conveyor belts (16) and (18) by heat generated by the heating element assemblies (20) while being advanced by the conveyor belts.

Abstract: A conveyor belt blower for a conveyor belt having an infeed portion and a return portion having a width includes a pressure distribution assembly located between the infeed portion and the return portion, a plenum body having first and second ends, wherein the plenum body extends across at least a portion of the width of the return portion, a nozzle assembly having at least one opening extending along a length of the plenum body that is configured to direct air onto the return portion, and an air movement device in communication with the first end of the plenum body for flowing air into the plenum body.

Abstract: The bottom tier (24) of a conveyor belt (22) arranged in a spiral stack (26) is supported by and driven by inner and outer drive chains (28) and (30). The inner and outer drive chains are supported on and ride along support rails (32) and (34). The inner and outer drive chains are driven by a drive system (35) composed of inner and outer drive systems (36) and (38), each including a drive motor with a drive gear engaged with the inner and outer drive chains. Each of the motors is controlled by a separate variable frequency drive unit (114) and (116) which in turn are controlled by a control system (44). The control system (44) also controls the operation of a lubrication system (40) that supplies lubricant to the drive chains.

Abstract: The bottom tier (24) of a conveyor belt (22) arranged in a spiral stack (26) is supported by and driven by inner and outer drive chains (28) and (30). The inner and outer drive chains are supported on and ride along support rails (32) and (34). The inner and outer drive chains are driven by a drive system (35) composed of inner and outer drive systems (36) and (38), each including a drive motor with a drive gear engaged with the inner and outer drive chains. Each of the motors is controlled by a separate variable frequency drive unit (114) and (116) which in turn are controlled by a control system (44). The control system (44) also controls the operation of a lubrication system (40) that supplies lubricant to the drive chains.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus (20) includes a spiral conveyor system (22) configured into an ascending spiral stack (26). An inner mezzanine (40) is disposed within the circular interior of the stack (26) and an exterior mezzanine (42) encircles the spiral stack. The mezzanines divide the processing chamber (32) into a plurality of processing zones. A sealing system (90) seals the interior mezzanine (40) relative to the spiral stack (26). A sealing system (130) seals the outer mezzanine (42) relative to the exterior of the spiral stack, and a seal system (132) seals the outer mezzanine relative to the walls (56, 58) of the housing, thereby to limit the leakage of the processing fluid between the mezzanines and the spiral stack (26) and housing walls so that as much as the thermal processing medium is possible is forced through the spiral stack for processing work products carried on the conveyor system (22).

Abstract: A conveyor belt blower for a conveyor belt having an infeed portion and a return portion having a width includes a pressure distribution assembly located between the infeed portion and the return portion, a plenum body having first and second ends, wherein the plenum body extends across at least a portion of the width of the return portion, a nozzle assembly having at least one opening extending along a length of the plenum body that is configured to direct air onto the return portion, and an air movement device in communication with the first end of the plenum body for flowing air into the plenum body.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus (20) includes a spiral conveyor system (22) configured into an ascending spiral stack (26). An air balance tunnel (40) includes a tunnel housing (76) positioned inside of a thermal processing chamber adjacent an outlet opening (36). A conveyor belt (24) travels through the housing on its way out of the processing chamber. An air pervious ejector assembly (78) is positioned within the housing at an elevation above the conveyor belt (24). An air pervious evacuation sheet (80) is located within the housing at a location beneath the conveyor belt (24). An air pervious cover assembly (150) is positioned over the conveyor belt (24) at a location just before the conveyor belt enters the air balance tunnel (40). The cover sheet (150) is connectable to the ejector assembly (78) so as to remove the ejector assembly from the tunnel housing (76) by manually moving the cover assembly (150).

Abstract: A conveyor belt (36) is arranged in at least one spiral conveyor unit (32) or (34) is arranged in tiers forming at ascending spiral stack (38) and/or a descending spiral stack (40). A ceiling or top sheet (58) is positioned over the spiral stack. A circulation fan (60, 62) draws spent thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the top of the stack above the ceiling or top sheet and through a heat exchanger (64) located above the ceiling. The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan thereby to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan.

Abstract: A longitudinally curved support rail (56) for supporting and moving a drive chain assembly (52) at the base of a spiral conveyor belt (34) to drive the bottom tier (30) of the spiral conveyor belt while being supported by the support rail. The support rail including an upright web section (80) and a support flange (78) cantilevered outwardly from the web section to provide a platform or shelf to support a chain drive assembly (52), thereon during travel of the chain drive assembly along the support rail.

Abstract: A conveyor belt (36) is arranged in at least one spiral conveyor unit (32) or (34) is arranged in tiers forming at ascending spiral stack (38) and/or a descending spiral stack (40). A ceiling or top sheet (58) is positioned over the spiral stack. A circulation fan (60, 62) draws spent thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the top of the stack above the ceiling or top sheet and through a heat exchanger (64) located above the ceiling. The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan thereby to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan.

Abstract: A belt cooking apparatus (10) includes a lower frame structure (12) and an upper frame structure (14) in registry with the lower frame structure. A lower cooking conveyor belt (16) is supported by the lower frame structure (12) and correspondingly an upper conveyor belt (18) is supported by the upper frame structure (14). Heating element assemblies (20) are mounted on the lower frame structure (12) just below the lower cooking belt (16) as well as on the upper frame structure (14) just above the upper cooking belt (18). Food products are cooked while positioned between the upper and lower moving cooking conveyor belts (16) and (18) by heat generated by the heating element assemblies (20) while being advanced by the conveyor belts.

Abstract: An adjustable flow path modification assembly for use with a gas treatment system having a spiral stack and a gas treatment supply unit disposed within a chamber, wherein the spiral stack has a height and an inner channel, includes a first internal partition disposed within the inner channel of the stack and an adjustable opening defined within the first internal partition. The adjustable opening is configured to selectively allow the flow of treatment gas through the inner channel of the stack.

Abstract: An adjustable flow path modification assembly for use with a gas treatment system having a spiral stack and a gas treatment supply unit disposed within a chamber, wherein the spiral stack has a height and an inner channel, includes a first internal partition disposed within the inner channel of the stack and an adjustable opening defined within the first internal partition. The adjustable opening is configured to selectively allow the flow of treatment gas through the inner channel of the stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defroster (5-10) for defrosting a gas cooling arrangement (4) of a freezer, comprising a sound generator (5) arranged to generate a sound pulse and to subject said gas cooling arrangement (4) to said sound pulse such that an amount of frost formed on said gas cooling arrangement (4) is reduced by removing frost formed on said gas cooling arrangement (4) by means of sound energy in said sound pulse. The present invention also relates to a freezer system comprising such a defroster (5-10) and a gas cooling arrangement (4). The present invention also relates to a method for defrosting a gas cooling arrangement (4) of a freezer. Figure elected for publication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking device for cooking of foodstuffs, comprising a cooking chamber, a product conveyor, a shape-controlling belt, and a lifting member, the product conveyor being arranged to convey said foodstuffs through said cooking chamber, the shape-controlling belt being an endless belt extending along an upper return path, and a lower work path, the lifting member being arranged to shift a part of the lower work path between a first position in which the belt extending along said part is slacking and is adopted to contact said foodstuffs on the product conveyor, and a second position in which the belt extending along said part is adopted to be separated from said foodstuffs on the product conveyor. The invention further relates to a method for switching a cooking device between being adapted for shape-controlled cooking and non-shape-controlled cooking of foodstuffs, and use of the cooking device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for preparation of a food product. The method comprises the following steps: applying on the food product a batter composition; applying on the food product a coating composition; applying oil on the food product, wherein said batter composition, said coating composition and said oil form a coating of the food product; subjecting the food product and the coating to a hot air cooking treatment in an impingement oven at such a temperature and for such a period of time that the coating is cooked while the food product remains substantially untreated by the hot air cooking treatment, wherein the temperature of the hot air cooking treatment is in the range of 230° C. to 290° C. and wherein the hot air in the hot air cooking treatment is applied on both the top and the bottom of the food product.