Abstract: An idler pulley wheel arrangement for a bandsaw includes a non-rotating idler shaft and an idler pulley wheel assembly positioned on the shaft for rotation relative thereto. A latch mechanism is positioned on an end of the shaft and includes a latch part connected to the end of the shaft for movement between a first position defining a latching state of the mechanism in which a portion of the latch part extends beyond an outer surface of the shaft and a second position defining a non-latching state of the mechanism in which the latch part is positioned entirely within or in substantial alignment with the outer surface of the shaft. The latch mechanism also includes a catch positioned on the end of the shaft for holding the latch part in the non-latching state such that the idler pulley wheel assembly can be slid off the end of the shaft when the latch mechanism is in the non-latching state.

Abstract: A foot actuated pneumatic switch for use in association with food-equipment such as mixer-grinders. The switch includes a u-shaped compressible pedal and a hemispherically shaped rubber actuator. The operator applies pressure to the pedal thereby depressing the actuator and initiating operation of the equipment. The pedal operates by means of a spring-like operation which enables the pedal to return to its static position when the pressure on the pedal is removed.

Abstract: A washing device or rinsing device for a dish washer comprises a washing arm or rinsing arm (14) and an axis which rotatably supports the washing arm or rinsing arm (14). The washing arm or rinsing arm (14) comprises a first chamber (36) and a second chamber (33) separate from the first chamber. The first chamber (36) and the second chamber (38) each have at least one inlet aperture (40, 50) and at least one outlet aperture (48, 48a, 22) for washing liquid or rinsing liquid. The at least one outlet aperture (22) of the second chamber (38) is designed as a corner spray nozzle and liquid can be applied thereto only in defined rotary positions of the washing arm or rinsing arm (14) on the axis (16).

Abstract: In a chiller, an apparatus and method for automatically identifying a temperature probe for use in a chilling operation is provided in order to reduce user error. In the place of manual selection by a user, automatic selection of the appropriate temperature probe is accomplished by comparing the temperature of the given temperature probe to a threshold temperature. An additional apparatus and method for filtering a displayed compartment temperature is provided to reduce user confusion. The responsiveness of the displayed temperature to temperature changes in the compartment is reduced when the compartment door is opened.

Abstract: A non-contact system and method is provided for effectively approximating the internal temperature of food being cooked upon a cooking surface of a cooking apparatus, such as a grill or griddle. Ultrasound or infrared, non-contact measurement devices may be directly installed onto the cooking apparatus, and in concert with a computerized monitoring/control system, are used to monitor the status of the food being cooked, or to control the heat input to the cooking surface using a feedback loop. The non-contact measurement devices may be permanently positioned above the cooking surface or may be mounted to arms that can be pivoted, or otherwise moved into position over the cooking surface.

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 kife.

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 guide assembly includes a sleeve-shaped member having first and second ends. At least one insert member is positioned within one of the ends of said sleeve-shaped member, the insert member including an end-to-end channel. A guide bar extends through the sleeve-shaped member and along the end-to-end channel of the insert member. A first end of the guide bar extends from the first end of the sleeve-shaped member and a second end of the guide bar extends from the second end of the sleeve-shaped member. A second insert member positioned in the other end of the sleeve-shaped member may also be provided.

Abstract: A slicer having an interlock mechanism, the slicer comprising a tray for receiving a food product to be sliced, the tray being movable along a slicing path and having a tray arm. The slicer further includes a blade for slicing the food product as the tray moves along the slicing path and a carriage having a locking arm for receiving the tray arm. The locking arm is movable between a release position wherein the tray arm can be placed into and removed from the locking arm, and a locking position wherein the tray arm cannot be placed into or removed from the locking arm. The slicer has a gauge plate adjuster for controlling the position of a gauge plate in the slicer, and the gauge plate adjuster has a recess formed therein. At least part of the locking arm is received in the recess of the gauge plate adjuster when the locking arm is in the release position.

Abstract: A longitudinal warewasher section, of a warewasher assembly having a plurality of warewasher sections mounted end-to-end, includes a frame and a control box pivotally mounted thereto, where the control box is pivotable from a compact, shipping orientation to an installation or operating orientation. The control box preferably includes electrical controls that have been pre-wired to the electrical and/or mechanical components of the warewasher section. When in the shipping position, the rear face of the control box lies substantially flush against a lateral end of the frame and the side face of the control box is substantially flush with the longitudinal front wall of the frame such that the control box faces outwardly from the lateral end of the frame. In this orientation, the control box does not add to the total lateral width of the warewasher section.

Abstract: The invention is a gas fired water booster comprising a holding tank, a centrifugal pump, an infrared burner enclosed by a woven ceramic fiber sleeve, a primary and a secondary heat exchanger, and a gas/air supply source. Preferably, the tank and the burner are generally annular in shape and the burner is disposed substantially within the tank. An air/gas mixture is supplied to the burner by a blower and is ignited creating a combustion surface approximately one eighth of an inch above the surface of the woven ceramic fiber sleeve. Water is continuously circulated through the heat exchange system and the burner remains on until a temperature sensor indicates that the water has attained a temperature in the desired sanitizing range.

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 carriage for a food slicer; wherein the carriage includes a tray for supporting a food product. The tray has a relatively flat portion and an upstanding side portion, a food gripping portion attached to the tray and at least one handle attached to the side portion of the tray for moving the tray in a reciprocating motion past the slicing blade. Preferably, the carriage includes a second handle such that the user can grasp either handle. The tray also includes a slide rod for slidably supporting the food gripping portion. The slide rod may be optionally mounted to either side of the tray, before or after the food product.

Abstract: A worm for a chopper is formed of an elongated stainless steel member having at least one convolution extending thereabout for contacting and moving meat when the elongated stainless steel member is rotated. A meat contacting outer surface portion of the elongated stainless steel member is coated in tin for reducing build up of fat on the meat contacting outer surface portion during operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a food preparation table which has improved cooling characteristics over prior art preparation tables, is efficient, and can be used with existing food storage pans. More particularly, the invention provides a food preparation table for holding ingredient/condiment storage pans that are open to access by food preparation personnel and which has cooling vents that are precisely positioned and shaped so that the condiments/ingredients in the pans are kept at a desired temperature, especially near the tops of the pans, and which does not prematurely dry the ingredients.

Abstract: A seal pickup station for supplying a plurality of seals to a position where the seals may be picked up by a gas exchange head. The station comprises a supply roll of seals adhesively attached to a carrier sheet, and a pickup block having a channel through which the seals can be transported on the carrier sheet. The station further includes a sensor to detect the presence of a seal, a take-up reel to collect the carrier sheet, and a pressure roller mounted in the pickup block to maintain tension on the carrier sheet as seals are removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for exchanging a first gas contained in a sealed container for a second gas while the container is in a chamber. The method comprises the steps of withdrawing the first gas from the container for a predetermined period of time and approximating the head space volume of the container based directly or indirectly upon a change in headspace pressure in the container. The method further includes the step of withdrawing the first gas from the container and air from the chamber under conditions which are dependent upon the approximation of the headspace volume and which reduce the damage to the container due to pressure forces.

Abstract: A gauge plate assembly for a food slicer includes a first plate including a food product contacting side and an attachment side. The attachment side has a plurality of fixed mount studs extending therefrom in an established arrangement, the mount studs attached to the first plate in a non-through manner. A support plate includes a mount side which faces the attachment side of the first plate and has a plurality of stud receiving openings in a mirror image of the established arrangement of the plurality of mount studs for alignment therewith. The attachment side of the first plate is positioned adjacent the mount side of the support plate with the plurality of mount studs inserted within the plurality of stud receiving openings. The studs are secured within the stud receiving openings in a press fit engagement in order to hold the two plate together. This arrangement provides an assembled gauge plate which does not require protruding fasteners to be machined or sealed and otherwise reduces assembly costs.

Abstract: A gas exchange head for contacting and piercing a container to allow gas communication and exchange between the gas exchange head and the container. The gas exchange head comprises a flow probe for piercing the container, the probe being hollow so as to allow the gas communication and exchange therethrough. The gas exchange head further includes an intermediate sleeve and an outer cylinder coaxially received on the intermediate sleeve. The outer cylinder includes a lower cup portion at its distal end and is reciprocatingly mounted on the intermediate sleeve. The gas exchange head further includes a spring mounted on the outer cylinder for applying a biasing to the outer cylinder, and an inner cylinder adapted at its distal end to receive and retain the flow probe.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention may also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.