Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a braided baked product from dough by feeding the dough through a die head having at least three relatively-moving die members each formed with an orifice feeding a strip of the dough, moving the die members relative to each other during the feeding of the dough to cause the strips to interweave, and baking the interwoven strips to produce the braided baked product.

Abstract: A substantially pure rawhide product and a mechanical method for manufacturing a substantially pure rawhide treat or chew for pets utilizing a double screw extruder with a number of heating zones and interchangeable extrusion dies. The method allows for the use of wet rawhide or rawhide scraps and contemplates the addition of various additives to the rawhide product. Also claimed is a double screw extruder especially adapted for the preparation of substantially pure rawhide treats.

Abstract: An improved wire rack for supporting food such as chicken in a Henny Penny pressure fryer and subsequently displaying the fried food in either a single bunn pan or a double bunn pan. The improved rack is capable of being used in all three environments (fryer, single plan and double pan) largely because it has a lower rectangular peripheral edge with a shorter length and width relative to the length and width of the upper rectangular peripheral edge.

Abstract: Organic waste disposal treatment apparatus includes a treatment chamber assembly in which a compost bed may be formed, an inlet to the treatment chamber assembly through which organic waste may be added to a compost bed in the treatment chamber assembly, ventilation means for promoting aerobic digestion of the compost bed in the treatment chamber assembly, drainage means for preventing waste material in the treatment chamber assembly from becoming anaerobic and access means for accessing and removal of compost formed in the treatment chamber assembly. The treatment chamber assembly includes a holding tank formed of plastics material, the access means includes a closed conveyor for conveying compost from the lower zone of the compost bed. The treatment chamber assembly may include an air permeable division for diving a duct from the compost bed. It is also preferred that the holding tank be partially filled with an active bed of compost.

Abstract: A modulated steam cooker in which food to be cooked is received in an oven chamber having an access door associated with a door switch, steam being fed directly into the oven by a steam generator having an electric heater immersed in a pool of water. The heater is connected through the door switch to a power source whereby the generator is powered only when the door is shut. The pressure of steam draining from the oven is sensed by a pressure-responsive switch interposed between the heater and the power source, the pressure switch intermittently interrupting the power supplied to the heater only when the sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined level somewhat above atmospheric pressure, thereby modulating the generation of steam supplied to the oven as a function of the quantity and temperature of food therein to effect efficient cooking of the food. Mounted on the steam generator is a spray head supplied with water only when the door is opened.

Abstract: A fine mesh filter screen is used in the fry pot of a deep fat fryer to remove all but the finest loose food particles after every cooking cycle, which otherwise burn and shorten the life of the cooking oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of cryopreservation of cell suspensions and compositions useful in same wherein only a non-penetrating extracellular cryopreservation polymer is required.

Abstract: A fold plate for use with in line folder/gluer machines and particularly folding machines that fold a blank having a multiplicity of layers of material, which machine includes a vertically adjustable stop and one roller on its bottom which contacts the layers of folded material as they are advanced thereunder by a conveyor belt and drive wheels from the folding machine.

Abstract: A method of making an intermediate stabilized dough shape by heating a proofed dough shape with a combination of convection and microwave heating sufficient to stabilize the dough shape, to form a light skin thereon, to inhibit moisture loss from the interior thereof, and to decrease microbial activity therein. The pastry dough shape has an interior and an exterior, and the light skin is formed on the exterior to provide a moisture barrier and structural integrity sufficient to inhibit moisture loss from the interior and retain the shape during heating, handling, storage and cooking thereof to a finished product.

Abstract: An extruding apparatus for intermittently supplying a predetermined quantity of highly viscoelastic fluid material, e.g. food material. The apparatus has a supply pump, one end of which is connected to a hopper containing the food material and the other end connected to an extrusion valve covered with a housing via a supply pipe and a pressure sensing means mounted in the housing or in the supply pipe, thereby always sensing the pressure of the food material in the valve to keep the pressure to a predetermined value by operating or stopping the supply pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating contaminated soil containing organic compounds, wherein, a sectional, portable, and sealable container is assembled at a site for remediation. Contaminated soil for remediation is disposed within the container and covered by a pool of recirculating water carrying selected biological elements and chemicals to effect the remediation process. Hydrocarbon elements released from the contaminated soil rise to the surface of the pool and are collected by skimming for recovery.

Abstract: The invention provides a molding apparatus and process of molding formable materials which comprises at least one supply manifold for receiving a formable material and plungers or pistons for applying pressure to the formable material within the manifolds. A mold plate including at least one mold cavity is driven between fill and discharge positions, with the at least one mold cavity selectively exposed to the supply manifold when in the fill position. A clamp member is positioned adjacent the mold plate when in the fill position, and pressure is applied on the clamp member to clamp the mold plate against the supply manifold. The clamp member and associated structure apply pressure to the clamp member compensating for deflection of these structural members which maintains the mold plate in firm clamping relation relative to the supply manifold.

Abstract: A device for girding an article with a strip of adhesive tape whose ends adhere to one another where the device includes a housing with a cavity for accommodating a supply roll of adhesive tape, a star wheel rotatable with light friction having a number of spokes bounding identical, substantially radial recesses disposed at mutually equiangular distances, two mutually registered slits open on one side which are present in the front wall and the rear wall respective of the housing and which together bound a channel wherethrough an article for girding is moved from the open side. A movable positioning arm is arranged hingedly on a tilt piece which engages with its free end into a recess in the star wheel, whereby this star wheel is positioned such that another recess is situated in a channel and is ready to receive an article for girding.

Abstract: A biological process includes the step of producing a substantially continuous foam of gas bubbles in a liquid capable of undergoing a biological process utilizing prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. The cells are introduced into the foam after the foam is produced and maintained in the foam under conditions effective to carry out the process. A reaction product of a biological process utilizing a foam culture medium is recovered by subjecting the foam to a pressure change after maintaining the cells in the foam culture medium under conditions effective to sustain the process. An apparatus for carrying out a biological process includes a foam production chamber having one or more inlets for introducing a gas and components of a culture medium. The chamber is adapted for producing a foam of bubbles of the gas in the culture medium. A plug-flow reactor is positioned to receive foam from the foam production chamber as a continuously flowing plug.

Abstract: A method for processing a fruit product such as fresh strawberries provides greatly prolonged shelf life by cooling the strawberries, washing the strawberries in a first chilled chlorine bath, slicing the strawberries to provide sliced strawberries, washing the sliced strawberries in a second chilled chlorine bath, draining the sliced strawberries to remove moisture therefrom, washing the sliced strawberries in a bath that comprises a citric acid and tribasic calcium solution, drying the sliced berries with de-humidified air, placing a selected weight of the strawberries into each one of a plurality of gas-impermeable containers, and sealing the containers with a breathable film.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing samples and specimens for microorganisms is provided. The apparatus comprises inoculating means for transferring an inoculum from one medium to another medium; positioning means for positioning the inoculating means in a predetermined position; container means for containing a fluid, semifluid, or solid medium, a sample, and the inoculating means; first aperture means for introducing a sample and a fluid, semi-fluid or solid medium into the container means; second aperture means for introducing the inoculating means into the container means; cap means for closing the second aperture means and for securing the positioning means so that the inoculating means is disposed in a predetermined position in the container means; and, closure means for closing the container means to separate the sample, the fluid medium, and the inoculating means from the outside environment. In another embodiment of this invention, a method is provided for detecting microorganisms in samples or specimens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing the coherency of a thin tissue section cut from a tissue sample to obtain a resulting increase in throughput of the tissue section actually transferred onto a slide for pathological evaluation. The apparatus includes an outer housing having an open end. Sealed vessel means disposed within the outer housing releasably contains ammonium hydroxide. Applicator means in fluid communication with the open end receives ammonium hydroxide released from the vessel means and is used to apply the ammonium hydroxide to an exposed surface of a tissue sample prior to cutting a tissue section from the sample. The method includes swabbing the exposed surface of the tissue sample with the applicator means for approximately ten seconds.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention for the continuous roasting of food materials are such that the food material being fed into a heated tubular cylinder is mixed up within and transferred through said tubular cylinder while the vaporized components of the food material are recovered and cooled to liquefy. The apparatus may comprise the horizontally placed tabular cylinder with an open front end, the coil screw inserted into the tubular cylinder in such a way that it can be driven to rotate, and the cooling unit that is connected to a vent port formed in the middle part of the tubular cylinder.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for forming meat analog products and for texturizing a doughmass wherein the ingredients are mixed, passed through a conduit having a decreasing cross-sectional area while the doughmass is heated therein, the heating being done such that a greater heat intensity is applied to the center of the doughmass than to the doughmass adjacent the walls of the conduit.

Abstract: A non-chemical, non-residue method of controlling pests, pathogens and other undesirable organisms found in food supplies. The organisms are exposed to ultra-short pulses of ultraviolet light emitted at a wavelength which is absorbed by surface coloring chemicals in the insect, such as entegumen. The coloring chemicals act as a heat sink to the ultraviolet photons, and the undesired organisms are selectively heated without harming adjacent food objects. The heat thus induced in the insects causes irreparable or irreversible lethal damage.