Abstract: A steam kettle lid assembly includes an elongated arm movable between an up position and a down position. A steam kettle lid includes central portion non-rotatingly attached to the arm in a manner which permits floating movement of the lid for proper seating on a kettle opening, but which also prevents a condensate rim on a bottom portion of the lid from rotating out of its functional position.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: A sharpener assembly for a food slicer includes a rotatable frame with a sharpening member and a truing member operatively connected for rotation with the frame. The frame is mounted on a food slicer to place the sharpening member and truing member on opposed sides of a slicer knife. The frame is rotated to rotate the sharpening member and the truing member into contact with respective sides of the slicer knife.

Abstract: A band saw apparatus including a blade under tension and has a frame that includes a pivotably connected drive mount and a rotatable wheel supported by the drive mount. The blade extends about the rotatable wheel. A tensioner is used to set the blade tension so as to minimize objectionable noise and vibration. The tensioner also facilitates raising the drive mount and support wheel for blade removal.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.

Abstract: A rack oven includes a cooking air flow path that, in one embodiment, is generally horizontal and/or that flows along an axial length of a plurality of heat exchange tubes. Air flow may be driven by a plurality of vertically spaced axial fans.

Abstract: A peeler is provided having a removable liner, the liner possessing a rough texture for assisting the turning of a food product during a peeling operation. A method of manufacturing the disclosed peeler and liner is also provided.

Abstract: An atmospheric steamer includes a steam chamber defined at least in part by a housing, and a water retaining area having at least one associated heating element for heating the water to generate steam. A vent opening is provided through the housing. A steam diverting baffle may be positioned around the vent opening to define a passage which leads to the vent opening. A sensor may be positioned along a vent path from the vent opening for sensing passage of steam along the vent path.

Abstract: A chiller includes a chilling compartment for receiving food products to be chilled and a chilling system for delivering chilled air to the chilling compartment during chilling operations. A controller effects operation of the chilling system and includes associated memory storing a plurality of food product data entries. Each food product data entry includes a food product name and at least one associated chilling operation setting for the food product. A user input device is associated with the controller. The controller is operable in conjunction with the user input device to permit a user to select a particular food product data entry such that the controller retrieves at least one chilling operation setting of the particular food product data entry for use in a subsequent chilling operation. The chiller may also include a label printing mechanism for printing chilling operation summary labels which can be applied to food product containers.

Abstract: A warewasher jam detection system includes a conveyor drive arrangement having a drive motor assembly including a drive motor and an output shaft, and a slip clutch including an input side moved via the output shaft and an output side operatively connected for driving a conveyor. At least one sensor is provided for producing an output indicative of movement/non-movement of the output side of the clutch. Preferably the sensor is a non-contact type sensor such as a magnetic sensor, optical sensor or proximity sensor. A controller may be provided for receiving the sensor output signals and identifying a jam condition based upon the same, such that the controller can responsively stop the drive motor.

Abstract: A baffle for slowing the incoming water flow into a booster heating tank so that the turbulence in the water tank is minimized. The baffle consists of an inner cap and outer cap which are positioned over the inlet to a water heating tank. The outer cap is spaced apart from the inner cap such that the incoming water flows through openings in the inner cap and is directed to the underside of the outer cap. The water, having been sufficiently slowed by the contact with the underside of the outer cap, then smoothly flows downward along the outer cap flange and into the main plenum of the tank.

Abstract: A mixer comprising a mixer body having a motor for driving a mixing element and a bowl for receiving a material to be mixed. The mixer further includes at least one pin mounted onto one of the mixer body or the bowl and a mounting bracket mounted onto the other of the mixer body or the bowl. The mounting bracket has an opening sized to receive the pin therein to removably and pivotably couple the mixer body and the bowl.

Abstract: A printer media cassette includes a movable arm which defines a desired path for media stock to facilitate insertion and removal of the cassette from a printer. The cassette also includes a tensioner arm for providing slack in the media path within the cassette to account for slippage between a feed roller of the printer and the media. Latching mechanisms on the cassette cooperate with latching mechanisms on a printer to assure proper installation of the cassette within the printer.

Abstract: A thread covering assembly for threaded shafts of food equipment components such as scale adjustment feet includes at least one thread cover positioned around the threaded shaft and moveable along the length of the threaded shaft for preventing the threads of the shaft from being exposed to the environment.

Abstract: A media sensor system includes a light source directing light towards media stock, a photo-detector positioned to detect light reflected from the media stock and a photo-detector positioned to detect light passing through the media stock. The light source and photo-detectors may be positioned in a media stock guide. The energization level of the light source and the photo-detector monitored may be set according to a media type being used.