Abstract: A precooked, frozen waffle heating apparatus including first and second metallic castings or molds having opposed confronting faces conforming to the reciprocal of a waffle pattern and contained within upper and lower portions of a housing defining a hollow chamber surrounding the upper portion of the molds. A timer is disposed externally of the housing but affixed thereto for indicating the residence time of a waffle within the molds.

Abstract: A control circuit for an automatic cooking apparatus for cooking processed food contained in a cup, wherein desired ones of a plurality of hot water sources can be operated during a predetermined time by operating one of a group of cook selector controls. The control circuit comprises a plurality of timers each of which has a variable operating time period. Each timer is connected to a corresponding one of the cook selector controls and is started by the operation of one of those selector controls. A corresponding cooking device is connected to an output of each timer, a corresponding hot water source is connected, and to a power source through a common diode. The output of each timer connected to each selector control, which selects the operation of two or more hot water source, is connected through a diode to a cooking device to be operated at the time of the operation of the hot water source connected to the each timer.

Abstract: A beverage maker comprises a chamber in which water can be heated by means of an electrical heating element. A receptacle for containing a solid secondary constituent which is to be infused in the water floats freely on the surface of the water. The lower part of the receptacle is imperforate, but the upper part has one or more openings through which water can be splashed when the water boils. The receptacle is eventually sunk by water splashed in through the apertures. The sinking causes the heating element to be de-energized.

Abstract: A pressure cooker the casing thereof carrying a pressure relief valve assembly comprising a relief valve having a valve member and a valve seating one of which acts against the other under pressure of biasing means to close a valve port opening into the interior of the cooker and a timer which can be preset to act on an operating member after a predetermined time period, said timer having an actuating member which moves to engage and move said operating member in a substantially linear direction, and said operating member being mechanically connected to means for relieving the pressure of the biasing means.

Abstract: A barbecue oven is provided for cooking and smoking food. The oven includes a grease control system for controlling and containing grease and moisture produced by the food during cooking operations. An air control system is provided which includes passive features for insuring that there is adequate air circulation within the oven during cooking operations. The oven includes an inner oven liner defining a cooking area. An ash pan, an electrical heating element and a wood tray are assembled within the cooking area for cooking and smoking food within the oven. The temperature range within the oven is controlled by a thermostat that includes a temperature sensor mounted on the exterior surface of the oven liner. The oven includes an oven door and at least one wear-resistant latch for securing the door in a closed position.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.

Abstract: An improved rotary retort for cooking food products in sealed containers. The retort comprises a vessel including a substantially cylindrical shell and a pair of heads respectively closing the ends of the shell. A support for carrying the sealed containers is rotatably mounted within the vessel. The support includes at least one U-shaped channel member having integral lips located on the upstanding portions of the U-shaped channel, whereby a plurality of sealed containers received in the channel are retained in the channel by the lips. The support is rotated in the vessel, and the interior of the vessel is selectively heated and cooled as the support is rotated to accomplish complete processing of the food products within the sealed containers.

Abstract: A cooking device (10) having a cylindrical housing (14), with a removable domed top closure (11), and supported by legs (12) radially spaced around the body is provided. The apparatus has a heat source (13) located near the bottom of the housing (14) and resting on top of the supporting legs (12). The water pan (22) is located above the heat source (13) and one or more grills (20 and 21) are located above the water pan (22). The grills (20 and 21) and the water pan (22) are supported by hanger structures (23) which engage the water pan (22) and have integral loops (39 and 40 ) forming planes of support for the grills (20 and 21).

Abstract: A continuous process for imparting a charcoal-broiled flavor and appearance to meat products, moves the product into impingement with open gas flames to sear the product's surfaces and to brand the upper and lower product surfaces with hot, metal branding elements.The food treatment apparatus has a housing furnished with product inlet and outlet conveyors. Movable branding apparatus disposed between the conveyors are heated by open flame gas burners. The conveyors and branding apparatus are driven in synchronization so that the product may move from the inlet conveyor to the branding station and thence to the outlet conveyor for further treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a new and novel English muffin on a mass production basis is provided wherein the English muffin is produced by the use of a conventional bun oven. The apparatus for use in the production of the English muffin provides an insulated baking pan which prevents an overbaking of the bottom of the English muffin and a perforated cover plate which permits an even baking of the top surface and imparts a pattern effect on the top surface of the English muffin corresponding to the perforations in the cover plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for canning food products in a container whose lid is held on by pressure differential between the interior of the container and the outside atmosphere, in which a pressure cover encloses the upper portion of the container and lid and, with the container, forms an enclosed pressure vessel with internal structure urging the container lid against the upper extremity of the container, and pressure control apparatus for limiting the pressure within the pressure vessel, and a base assembly for engaging the pressure cover and the container.

Abstract: A housing of a single material of construction for a submersible pump adapted to integrally contain the usual diffuser stack and a mounting bracket for the pump motor. The housing is provided upwardly of the lower end thereof with a multiplicity of circumferentially arranged inwardly turned fingers, the upper edges of which constitute shoulders to support the diffuser stack and with the developed apertures constituting outlet ports for water escaping downwardly along the housing wall from the diffuser stack to prevent excessive heating within the housing during operation. The housing also contains an adapter plate at the normally lower end thereof for direct securement to the prime mover.

Abstract: A two-stage pump is illustrated of the type employing a piston having two diameters, one capable of providing a large volume of fluid flow at low pressure so as to move a fluid operated press rapidly until a load is encountered, at which time fluid is delivered at a low volume at high pressure for operation of the press wherein the flow control means are positioned in a piston housing independent of the piston.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for manufacturing a body of fibers for use in a brush as well as the brush so produced. This process comprises inserting a plurality of fibers into an opening of a plate, separating the fibers into a plurality of fiber bunches or curtains, applying an adhesive to the end of the fibers which is at the base of the plate, and removing the body of fibers from the plate, such that the body of fibers contains at least one parallel space or passage between the curtains of fibers. The body of fibers is then inserted into a brush handle. This brush may be used to apply coating liquids such as paints and varnishes.

Abstract: There is described a device for preparing food products from cereals which have been pressure-cooked and thereafter expanded, which comprises a mould comprised of a hollow heated die to which the cereals are fed, a punch cooperating with said mould to close and open the cavity thereof by sliding, at least one jack so connected to the punch as to drive same alternately in and out of the mould cavity, said jack enabling to exert through the punch a pressure on the mould while cooking the cereals, stop means for stopping temporarily the alternating movement of the punch or of a driving member therefor in a position where said punch does not exert a pressure any more on the mould and where the mould cavity is not yet open, a device for feeding cereals to be cooked and a device for discharging the product from expanded cereals thus obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing warm or hot beverages (tea or coffee) in which cold or luke-warm water is passed to a container and caused to flow through the apparatus in order to be heated. The water passes through a warm spreader, causing the water to be preheated before the latter is passed through the actual heating means.

Abstract: A pressure responsive pumping system comprising a motor driven impeller pump, a pressure responsive switch controlling the pump motor, and a pressure-sensing device comprising a tube extending through a side wall of the pump casing and slidable substantially radially thereof, a port adjacent the inner end of the tube, and a conduit connecting the outer end of the tube to the switch. More specifically an impeller pump having a flat end wall, an opening in its peripheral wall, a channel at the inner side of the end wall in alignment with the opening, and a tube slidable longitudinally through the opening and along said groove having a port at its inner open end, or at a side thereof adjacent its inner closed end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly cooking food which includes pressing food directly against a very hot cooking surface with a liquid interface therebetween while the food is submerged in a heated cooking liquid, such as a water-base broth. The cooking surface is preferably formed with a plurality of dispersed dimples which collect and contain the liquid interface at the cooking surface when the food is pressed thereagainst. The apparatus includes two pans located at the entending ends of a connecting conduit with a perforated compression plate for pressing food against the bottom surface of each pan, and a burner is disposed beneath each pan. Controls are provided for alternately lowering the pans to positions immediately above these respective burners and to permit the cooking liquid to flow into the lowered pan, and for automatically energizing and de-energizing the burners when the pans are lowered and raised with respect thereto.

Abstract: A spit roaster includes a ventilating caged-like housing within which there is positioned a horizontal rotatable table. An electric motor is located below the table and is adapted to rotate the same. A conical member is carried centrally of the table and tapers upwardly and inwardly. A plurality of bars extend upwardly from the table to constitute a peripherally extending grid and to define a depository for a source of heat. A plurality of spits are rotatable individually by respective electric motors and are also rotatable together with the table. Such spits are adjustably positioned relative to the hearth such that they can be individually spaced from the hearth at a desired distance. The spits can also be adjustable in terms of their inclination relative to the hearth.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing instant cupped noodles comprising disposing a mass of raw noodles in a liquid-permeable metal cup, the cup having at least a tapered wall, placing a liquid-permeable metal lid to cover the opening of the metal cup, and completely immersing the metal cup in a heated oil for frying the mass of noodles housed in the metal cup while the cup is inverted and immersed, thereby rendering the mass of noodles dense in the portion close to the bottom of the metal cup and sparse in the portion close to the metal lid. The metal cup is then taken out of the heated oil, the metal lid is removed from the metal cup for discharging the fried mass of noodles, and the discharged fried mass of noodles is dried.