Abstract: A nut sheller which embodies a base having a lower nut holder on which a nut to be shelled may be positioned, a spring operated hammer operable upwardly to strike the nut holder, an opposing inertia anvil operable from a remote nut loading position to a lowered position into engagement with the nut to be shelled, and a lever adapted to be manually moved to bring the inertia anvil down and then automatically cause the hammer to operate, the lever being operably connected to cock the hammer against its spring as the lever is moved back to its remote nut loading position. Shielding means are provided, moved under the control of the operating lever so that the shell fragments fall into a nut bowl arranged below and around the nut holder. Thus the entire nut shelling operation may be accomplished by one hand, merely by moving the lever in one direction and then returning it.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer which saves on fat by reducing the amountof non-working fat in the fat-containing vessel by using fat displacers which are removable to permit the use of conventional tools for cleaning; wherein the periodic addition of make-up fat to said fat-containing vessel dispenses with the need for changing the fat therein over an unlimited period of time.

Abstract: A mixer with a container and a cover mounted impeller and drive motor. A tiltable support for the container for decanting liquid and for emptying the container with and without the cover in position, and another support for lifting and lowering the cover. A mixer with provision for attaching a vacuum source to the container and for heating the cover to control condensation.

Abstract: Means for removing deposits formed due to foaming, etc., on the inner walls of a liquid reaction vessel which contains agitating means. Dispersing means are provided attached by arm means to the shaft of the agitator, which are adapted to engage the surface of the reaction mixture, and on increased rotation of said agitator shaft will spray or fling liquid reaction mixture onto said inner walls. The dispersing means can be curved tubular members, channel members, angled plates, paddles, etc. In one embodiment, the dispersing member is spring-biased, normally not engaging said liquid surface, and which will engage said liquid surface upon increased rotational speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of carbon dioxide by the reaction of an edible acid and a carbon dioxide-releasing substance in aqueous solution. The gas is generated in a generator chamber and is injected into water contained in an absorber tank to carbonate the water and also to provide pressure for expulsion of the carbonated water from the apparatus.

Abstract: A charcoal broiler is disclosed which includes a housing having first and second sets of legs adapted to support the broiler between alternate horizontal and vertical orientations. The broiler includes a fuel-containing basket which is supported within the housing in spaced, parallel relationship with one sidewall in a manner such that the fuel is held away from the walls of the housing to facilitate air circulation for rapid burning. A hood is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement to and from an open top of the housing, with adjustable lock means being provided to selectively control the amount of opening between the hood and housing for controlling the air draft. Adjustable vents are provided in the housing for further control of the air draft. A grid-like tray is provided for supporting food above the basket when the housing is in its horizontal orientation, and a spit is provided for supporting food in the housing with the hood substantially closed when the housing is in its vertical orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, in which a vegetable is rotated whereas a blade is reciprocated under pressure on the vegetable, to form a tape-like flesh which is used for various kinds of dishes.

Abstract: A food product mixer with a pair of door openings in its front panel includes a door mechanism with a pair of slideable doors. Each door is slideable on a pair of sliding rods toward and away from the opening with which it is associated. Means are provided to cause both doors to slide simultaneously on their sliding rods to a closed position in which each door closes its associated opening. The sliding rods on which each door slides are rotatable to separately lock the door when it is in its closed position, as well as to separately unlock it. An unlocked door slides back along its rods, away from the opening, due to food pressure applied theron by food in the mixer, thereby enabling the food to be discharged through the opening. Either door may be unlocked with the other door remaining in the locked position. The rotation of the rods to lock and unlock a door may be achieved manually or by actuated means.

Abstract: A apparatus for treating meat. In the apparatus meat is tenderized, brought into contact with pickle or brine or the like, and massaged, characterized in that the meat is brought into a tumbling movement together with a pickle or brine bath, in such a manner that massaging forces are exerted on the meat by the action of gravity, while at the same time, also by the action of gravity on the meat, a number of nicking means guiding brine out of the bath is repeatedly introduced into the meat and removed therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting the core of a leafy vegetable, such as a cabbage, prior to the cabbage being sliced for making sauerkraut and the like.The machine comprises a frame having endless belt conveying means for carrying the cabbage heads to a coring station. At the coring station, vertically-reciprocating, non-rotating knives engage the core and cut it into sections. The downward or cutting movement of the knives is terminated by adjustable means which cause the knives to be returned to their normal at-rest positions out of engagement with the cabbage.

Abstract: A pistachio huller having two stages; a first stage including a pair of rollers between which the pistachios are passed to rupture the pericarps thereof to form tag ends of pericarps adherent to the shells of the pistachios and a second stage including a plurality of parallel fine rollers closely spaced to preclude the passage of pistachios therebetween with the adjacent fine rollers alternately and oppositely oscillated to strip the tag ends of pericarps from the pistachios.

Abstract: A centrifuge-type apparatus for extracting, by pulverization and filtering under centrifugal force, the juice component from plant materials such as fruits or vegetables. Plant material introduced into the open top of a stationary hopper is pulverized upon contact with a series of fast-moving non-bladed, blunt protrusions extending upwardly from the surface of a rapidly rotating plate member extending across the open bottom of the hopper. The resultant juice and pulp mixture is then thrown outwardly under centrifugal force through an annular space of predetermined height formed between the bottom of the stationary hopper and the upper surface of the rotating plate. A frusto-conical filter member attached to and surrounding the rotating plate member impedes the outward motion of the pulp component of the pulverized plant material whle permitting the passage of the juice component.

Abstract: The bed includes a deck having a plurality of openings and side walls defining a trough with the deck. A plenum below the deck supplies air through the openings for fluidizing material in the trough, the openings being arranged to direct air in a manner to establish a predetermined flow pattern for circulating and mixing the material. In one form hereof, the flow direction is transversely of the bed to provide a circular mixing action. In another form, the openings are configured to provide both transverse and horizontal components of flow whereby the material is circulated as it moves downstream through the trough.

Abstract: Machine for peeling tomatoes comprising a series of trays placed on a conveyor, and a series of covers arranged to seal said trays; each cover is connected to a tank under vacuum.

Abstract: A dry peeler for fleshy fruit is formed as a rotating cage having an annular helical conveyor with axially extending, circumferentially spaced neoprene peeling cords 3/8 inch in diameter stretched between adjacent convolutions of the helical conveyor. A neoprene stabilizing cable is tied to the mid portions of the peeling cords, which cable can surround all cords or can be threaded to pass inside and outside of selected peeling cords for increasing the aggressiveness of the peeling action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer having a substantially vertically arranged rotating container of cylindrical or frustoconical shape, and a rotating mixing screw arranged therein, the said screw having relative movement along the container wall and conveying the mix material upwards.

Abstract: The high intensity mixer utilizing a single speed motor of this invention includes a concentric pair of vertical shafts mounted in the mixer. In one embodiment a driven pulley is directly attached to the outer shaft which mounts the lower set of mixing tools and runs whenever the motor is running. The inner shaft bears the upper mixing tool and may be coupled to the outer shaft by any appropriate manual, pneumatic, fluid, centrifugal, electro-magnetic or air operated clutch means. Engagement and disengagement of the upper mixing tool may be accomplished by manual means or automatic means. Where automatic means are used they may be coupled to sensors reading temperature, amperage or other appropriate conditions.In an exemplary operation the inner and outer shafts are clutched together so as to drive both the upper and lower mixing blades at the outset.

Abstract: An improved egg handling device is disclosed in which a number of egg lifting vacuum cups, mounted on a convenient support, are used both to transfer eggs and to punch the egg shells. The egg piercing system is incorporated with the transfer cups to provide for a simultaneous piercing and lifting of the eggs. A piercing needle is mounted within each vacuum cup in a position to pierce or puncture each egg shell while it is held within the cup by the vacuum lifting force.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd. The cheese curd to be treated is contained within an open ended box or container and the lower end of the box is enclosed by a support plate while the upper end of the box is enclosed by a perforated lid. The support plate is provided with a plurality of drain holes and is also formed with a series of downwardly extending grooves which extend from the interior of the plate to the peripheral edge. The grooves are generally V-shaped in cross section and have a greater depth than width. During vacuum draining of the cheese curd, the whey is drained through the holes in the support plate as well as along the grooves to thereby provide improved drainage characteristics for the mass of cheese curd.

Abstract: Apparatus which washes and cleans hospital and nursing home utensils of various configurations, such as bed pans, urinals, and buckets. The washing apparatus is provided with a chamber that has washing nozzles and a mounting fixture for the utensils that rotates during the various stages of the washing operation. The utensils of different types are readily and thoroughly cleaned in a sealed, closable chamber, and the switching of the various washing stages may be accomplished by the knee of the operator, leaving the hands free to manipulate the utensils as desired.