Abstract: Apparatus and method for making pizza in a continuous process and in commercial quantities using radio frequency energy and hot air impingement ovens in a conveyorized system.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a first endless belt conveyor; a vibrating conveyor at an angle to the endless belt conveyor including a vibrating mechanism positioned beneath the belt conveyor to vibrate the belt conveyor along with the vibrating conveyor and to fluidize product on the belt conveyor; a diverter blade in contact with the belt conveyor adapted to vibrate with the belt conveyor, the blade being positioned and angled to divert fluidized product from the belt conveyor to the vibrating conveyor.

Abstract: An easily-cleaned, rubberized conveyor assembly especially adapted for conveying granular or semi-fluid material. The present invention is particularly concerned with conveying food materials where cleaning and sanitary conditions are important. The invention is also particularly described with regard to a conveyor for the bottom of a holding or surge bin, but has other applications. In the invention, upright side guards along opposite sides of a continuous rubberized belt separate the belt into a central load-carrying portion and outer edge aligned portions. Connections connect the edge aligned portions to supporting girts beneath the belt, the girts in turn being attached to endless conveyor chains on opposite sides of the belt. Preferably, the side guards are rubberized elements vulcanized to the belt surface, thereby providing an assembly having a load-carrying area free of cracks or crevices.

Abstract: A feed system for feeding light-weight materials, such as tobacco, into large blending and/or bulking bins. The present invention resides primarily in a novel, light-weight feed system comprising a trolley and a shuttle conveyor adapted to reciprocatingly feed rapidly in either a longitudinal or lateral direction with a minimum amount of inertia during acceleration and deacceleration. A feed conveyor deposits said material onto the shuttle conveyor, said feed conveyor comprising drive elements adapted to synchronize movement of the feed conveyor with movement of the shuttle conveyor. The shuttle conveyor, at least in the X direction, is unencumbered mechanically by the feed conveyor.

Abstract: A spray reactor for flue gas desulfurization, particularly suitable for steam generators, uses a plurality of flue gas inlets and complementary nozzles to spray an alkaline reagent into the flue gas, including means to maintain the gas velocity in said gas inlets in response to generator turndown by varying the cross-sectional area of flow of the waste gas into the reaction zone.

Abstract: A spray reactor for flue gas desulfurization, particularly suitable for steam generators, uses a plurality of flue gas inlets and complementary nozzles to spray an alkaline reagent into the flue gas, including means to maintain the gas velocity in said gas inlets in response to generator turndown.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reordering or remoistening tobacco wherein a circulating treating medium is passed through the tobacco bed. The apparatus is provided with both water and steam nozzles, and controls are provided such that the water input maintains a desired tobacco moisture level, whereas the steam input is controlled to keep the temperature of the circulating treating medium at a predetermined level. The water is in the form of an atomized fine mist at point of contact with the tobacco bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid bed process for the removal of skins from edible nuts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid bed process for the removal of skins from edible nuts.

Abstract: A spray reactor for flue gas desulfurization, particularly suitable for steam generators, uses an atomizing disc to spray an alkaline reagent into the flue gas. Concentric inner and outer annular passages around the disc convey the flue gas, the outer passage flow being controlled by a series of dampers adapted to maintain a relatively constant flow velocity in the inner passage in response to turndown of the generator load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed device for continuously feeding strips of material to processing apparatus, and in particular to a feed device for feeding polymer film onto film tenter apparatus. The present invention comprises a pair of endless belts disposed along opposite sides of the path of travel of the polymer film, and cooperating substantially frictionless supports on which the film edges ride, pressed between the belts and said supports. Each endless belt has a lower run which extends between spaced idler pulleys, and means are provided for maintaining the belt full lower run in continuous frictional contact on the advancing polymer film.

Abstract: An inverting tow plaiter adapted to position tow onto a receiving end of a main conveyor in a series of overlying laps oriented to permit trouble-free removal of tow from the main conveyor discharge end. The plaiter comprises a continuous, moving canvas belt positioned above the main conveyor constrained to follow the downwardly extending semi-circular path, and a stationary housing spaced from the belt to define with the belt a curved chute of narrowing cross-section. The chute has a gap width at the chute upper end which is greater than at the chute lower end. Structure for depositing tow onto the canvas belt at the chute upper end in a series of overlying laps which extend transversely across the belt is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means for isolating a fan drive means within a chamber from the fan driven fluid. An enclosure is provided which isolates the fan drive means from the driven fluid. The enclosure having multiple opening to the exterior of the chamber and allowing naturally occurring convection to help maintain ambient conditions around the fan drive means.

Abstract: There is provided an endless conveyor characterized by a plurality of invertable material carrying pans. The invention is particularly concerned with simplified means for effecting inversion of the pans whereby both the upper and lower reaches of the endless conveyor may be utilized to carry material as for example in a dryer. Each of the material carrying pans is provided with a cam for coaction with stationary cam followers to effect inversion of the pan as it approaches the end of the conveyor for reversal of direction, and stabilizing cam followers for controlling the position the pan as it courses around the direction changing apparatus and enters another reach.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel and improved apparatus for controlling or obtaining the actual weight of materials which are charged to a receptacle or other receiving means such as a shipping container. The present invention also resides in a novel apparatus for simultaneously determining the weight and moisture content of such materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas treating apparatus for treating web-like or granular material conveyed through the apparatus, and more particularly to a novel nozzle arrangement for such apparatus which insures that a uniform, unbroken stream of treating medium impinges against the web-like or granular material. The present invention is particularly applicable to the transverse orientation of polymer film, the drying of particulate material, the drying or heat setting of films or fabrics, and other such applications where precise control of processing conditions is required.

Abstract: In a large high temperature industrial dryer or other such heated enclosure, a structural heat-insulation panel including opposed metallic sheets in generally parallel, spaced-apart planes, one of said sheets being exposed to a higher temperature than the other sheet, and insulation means between such sheets, wherein the improvement comprises panel ends formed of stainless steel of low heat conductivity. Particularly low heat transfer to the lower temperature sheet is obtained by employing embossed stainless steel pieces as said panel ends.

Abstract: Drying apparatus and process are shown featuring a fresh gas flow warmed for obtaining a low temperature rise in comparatively large volume by solar heat collection, then further heated and passed into drying relationship with the material to be dried.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dryer particularly suitable for particulate matter having an endless conveyor in the form of a polyester fabric screen wherein the endless conveyor is normally flat but is given a trough-shape as it passes within the dryer to contain the particulate matter. Means are provided for moving the fabric screen through the dryer including an open support disposed beneath the fabric screen. Stationary, elongated trough-forming means within the dryer pick up the sides of the fabric to form and maintain the trough-shape, and stationary baffle plates within the dryer engage the trough-forming means to direct the flow of drying air through or against the matter being conveyed.

Abstract: Shown is a baking oven or other gas treating apparatus having a novel gas distribution-box construction for circulation or impingement of a gaseous treating medium around or against goods conducted through the apparatus. The present invention is particularly applicable to the baking of baked goods, but also is applicable to the drying or treating of particulate material or webs of material and has other uses.