Abstract: A safe product transfer apparatus that heats refrigerated food products and then hold those heated food products in a hold drawer until they can be transferred to a heater merchandizer, preferably a roller grill as needed. The apparatus features a control assembly. A pre-heat indicator indicates when the preheat temperature has been reached so that the food products can be loaded into an operable drawer. The apparatus can heat a refrigerated product from 34° F. to greater than or equal to 140° F. in 35 minutes or less. The apparatus has a safe product transfer apparatus that has a heating cavity ranging from 250° F. to 425° F. The apparatus provides a safe product transfer apparatus that can hold the products stored therein at a safe holding temperature (ranging from greater or equal to 140° F. to not more than 205° F.), that is, not hot enough to continue heating or degrading the food product.

Abstract: A method of making a pump housing that is net-molded and immediately assumes its final shape and design specification without requiring more than de minimis secondary machining processes. The method utilizes molds and cores configured such that none of the fluid ports of the housing produced using the molds and cores have any intersecting geometry. The net-molded pump housing may also include a cross-tube insert providing flow communication between a fluid inlet port and a pressure relief port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser engraving a three-dimensional pattern on a surface. A moveable laser head having a plurality of laser beams is provided. Preferably, the number of laser beams is four. Each beam is capable of being individually adjustably controllable.

Abstract: An ultra low temperature freezer evaporator (ULT) apparatus that has a triple feed capillary tube system. The ULT apparatus prevents the low stage compressor from running in a vacuum. The invention significantly reduces the “pull down” time. Further, the ULT freezer evaporator apparatus significantly increases the transfer area between the evaporator tubing and the contact surface on the unit to assist the transfer of heat from the refrigerated unit through the condenser to the surrounding room.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for determining if a metal hose connector is fully snapped into its mating plastic connector. This sensor detects the metal hose in position by having a coil in position over the plastic connector and at the end of the metal hose when it is in correct position. The metal of the hose interacts with the magnetic field of the coil to both increase the inductance and greatly reduce the ‘Q’ because of the “shorted turn” effect of the round metal hose. The sensor inherently detects faults in its own circuit because of the comparator voltage window. Faults such as an open coil, oscillator or rectifier failure will appear at the output as “hose disconnected” which is the desirable failure mode. The invention also detects external faults because of the two non-zero, non-line voltages seen during normal operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluid pump having a pump motor, a pump drive shaft, and a vane pump assembly. The vane pump assembly includes a pump housing with a fluid inlet port in a distal portion of the housing and a fluid outlet port in a proximate portion. A first bearing member, having a plurality of inlet orifices in flow communication with the fluid inlet port, is disposed within the housing distal portion. A cam ring is adjacent the first bearing member. A rotor, which is mounted on the pump drive shaft, is disposed within an opening in the cam ring. This rotor includes a plurality of radial slots and vanes slidably received within the slots. A second bearing member, having a plurality of outlet orifices in flow communication with the fluid outlet port, is disposed within the housing proximate portion adjacent the cam ring. An end plate is also mounted within the distal portion of the pump housing.

Abstract: A method of making a pump housing that is net-molded and immediately assumes its final shape and design specification without requiring more than de minimis secondary machining processes. The method utilizes molds and cores configured such that none of the fluid ports of the housing produced using the molds and cores have any intersecting geometry.

Abstract: A roller grill bearing assembly that can be adapted to fit on any size roller grill or roller tubes. The bearing assembly substantially increases the bearing land on the roller grill housing and increases the bearing area over the land. The bearing assembly permits the bearing apparatus to be snapped in place on the stamped opening on a sheet metal side panel as done using current manufacturing methods. Further, the bearing assembly can be produced using current manufacturing techniques without significantly changing the cost of production. Most importantly, the invention substantially increases the life span of the bearing.

Abstract: A process for tempering large aluminum lithium alloy component parts to achieve high strength capability and resistance to stress corrosion cracking without the need for the prior art step of cold working the alloy components parts. The process achieves the desired material properties by the use of two novel soaking time periods and the use of novel controlled temperature selection at the two respective soaking times as well as carefully controlling the temperature decrease from one soaking time period to the other.

Abstract: A fluid pump having a pump motor, pump housing, and pump seal enclosure disposed between the pump motor and the pump housing. A pump drive shaft is rotatably driven by the pump motor and extends through the pump seal enclosure and a drive shafting opening into a pumping chamber of the pump housing. A drive shaft seal assembly is disposed within the pump seal enclosure and includes a spring seat, rotary ring, stationary ring, and compressible spring each disposed coaxially with the drive shaft. The spring seat includes a first alignment mechanism and the rotary ring includes a second alignment mechanism for engaging the first alignment mechanism. The stationary ring is fastened to the pump seal enclosure adjacent the drive shaft opening, and the compressible spring biases the rotary ring against the stationary ring.

Abstract: A divider apparatus for a roller grill. The invention has three main components: a front having front slots; a rear rail having rear slots; and at least one divider bar. There are three front rail variations, two major divider variations and four rear rail variations, thus providing a total of at least nine permutations and combinations by mixing and matching the apparatus components to enable the grill cooking surface to be divided into multiple cooking sections for different products to be cooked thereon. It can be retrofitted to fit on any size roller grill including grills with sneeze guards. It can also be attached without restricting access to the front of the roller grill so that products can be easily removed or placed on the grill or blocking the view or cleaning of the grill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particulate feeding apparatus for applying particulate, such as super-absorbent materials, to a substrate, such as a fibrous web. The apparatus may include a feeder tube for the powder and a rotary gate valve, including one or more holes, which may then intermittently feed particulate to an eductor or venturi nozzle which is located in an air stream. The rotary valve provides an intermittent supply of particulate to a relatively low pressure zone at the nozzle formed by the venturi action of the passing air stream and the particulate may be distributed precisely where desired. A process for delivering powder to a substrate in precise amounts and distribution patterns is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluid pump having a pump motor, a pump drive shaft and a vane pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump housing having fluid inlet and outlet ports. The pump assembly also includes a distal bearing member having first and second sides and a second side, a plurality of inlet orifices, and a cavity formed in the second side. A first cam ring, having an elliptical interior opening, is disposed within the pump housing adjacent the distal bearing member. A rotor is disposed within the opening in the first cam ring. This rotor has first and second sides, a cavity in the first side, and a plurality of radial slots for sliding vanes. The vane pump assembly also includes a second cam ring, having an elliptical shape, disposed in the cavities formed in the distal bearing member second side and the rotor first side.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use in an area subject to fluids such as gasoline or water. Typically, the connector would be used in a fuel injector to an electronic control module found in automotive and recreational motors. Once the wires have been stripped, they are then fused to a centering section to provide a common joint. The centering section is provided with a encapsulating mold centering section featuring two opposing alignment bosses and two sections of four circumferential centering tips. Finally, a second molding process is applied. The tips and the bosses re-melt or re-flow during the second encapsulation process to provide for a centered assembly that prevents fuel or water leaking from one wire to the next through the connection.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for standard bottles containing highly viscous materials such as gels so that the bottles may be inserted into an appliance to alert a user when the bottle is empty. The holder conveniently locates the bottle in the holder which includes insert molded contacts, wire harness and seal piercing mechanism. The bottle holder will universally fits into most appliances and machines. The invention enables the use of standard bottles are liquid reservoirs such that the bottle can be discarded when empty.

Abstract: A cooling system that has an electrical controller that controls an electric expansion valve and the defrost cycle using a reversing valve. The need for heater circuit to achieve defrost is eliminated. The system permits the defrosting the evaporator system in less time required for conventional defrost methods. The cooling system also eliminates the need for a head pressure control valve and check valves. Due to the less wiring and lower operating costs, the invention provides significant cost savings.

Abstract: A rethermalization system for food trays having a hot food side and a cold food side, the system includes a first thermal system having a heating source, a refrigeration coil and a blower; a second thermal system having first and second refrigeration coils and a blower; and a control system operable in one mode to activate the refrigeration coil of the first thermal system and the first refrigeration coil of the second thermal system, and operable in a second mode to activate the heating source of the first thermal system and the first and second refrigeration coils of the second thermal system.