Abstract: An isothermal cryogenic freezer tunnel for supplying cryogenic gas to the food to be frozen at a temperature which is substantially uniform along a major portion of the length of the freezer tunnel. The freezer tunnel is equipped with an overhead duct having downwardly-directing flow apertures. A foraminous conveyor is located below the duct for accommodating the conveyorized passage of food through the tunnel. Spray nozzle means are mounted in the tunnel adjacent the inlet of the duct for ejecting cryogenic gas into the tunnel. The tunnel further includes fans positioned in vertical alignment with the flow apertures for propelling the gas through the duct onto the conveyorized food where the gas at a substantially constant temperature, blankets, impinges and freezes the food.

Abstract: A continuous method for enhancing the pick-up of marinade by poultry, such as chicken. Cut chicken pieces are introduced into a continuous conveyor assembly in which marinade liqud is maintained at a predetermined level. The chicken pieces are conveyed longitudinally of the conveyor and are repeatedly lifted up out of the marinade and are dropped back into the marinade, optimally between 40 and 90 times. A continuous marinating apparatus is disclosed having an elongate screw conveyor for carrying chicken pieces longitudinally of a vessel in which the conveyor is positioned. The screw conveyor has a plurality of vanes between adjacent pairs of screw conveyor flights for lifting the chicken pieces and for allowing the chicken pieces to drop back into the liquid in the trough. Discharge vanes at the end of the screw conveyor scoop up the chicken pieces and convey them upwardly to a discharge station for discharge outwardly of the trough.

Abstract: A frying basket for supporting food items, such as pies, to be cooked in an immersed position in a cooking medium. The frying basket has a back wall and two end walls defining an accessible front food loading area opposite the back wall. In the basket, on horizontal supports, are two shelves comprising solid bottom trays mounted on an open framework with divider plates between each tray to form separate compartments for each food item. An upper shelf is mounted above a lower shelf and functions to retain food items on the lower shelf and to support food items as well. Mounted above the second shelf is a retaining cover which functions to retain food items on the upper shelf. Both the upper shelf and the retaining cover are each held in that position by a latch at one of the end walls.

Abstract: A grill for hamburgers and the like having a grilling surface comprising about 25% but no more than about 75% Teflon, with the remainder being metallic. The Teflon is provided in the form of discrete Teflon bodies disposed in recesses in the grill surface, each Teflon body being held by retention means. The foods to be grilled retain the characteristics of a grilled food, and the surface provides a grill surface with long-lasting anti-stick characteristics.

Abstract: A foam package for food comprises a dish section and a cover section which are provided with hinging and latching mechanisms for closing and opening the package. The hinging and latching mechanisms comprise outwardly projecting tongues on the dish section which extend into complementary apertures in the cover section. The latching tongue is biased forwardly by the dish section. The dish section includes an outwardly extending peripheral flange which includes a handle means for carrying the dish section or the entire package.

Abstract: A sandwich bin for fast food restaurant service. The sandwich bin provides always open front and rear service openings and air curtains for each of the service openings. The air in the air curtains is recycled through chambers at the sides of the sandwich bin to beneath the floor from where it is recirculated through ducts and over heaters to be discharged through air curtain forming nozzles. The turbulence in the sandwich bin is at a minimum, thereby providing an atmosphere in which sandwiches will remain hot and moist, without significant drying.