Abstract: Quadrant baskets are indexed within a stationary vertical axis cylindrical cooking vessel which contains hot cooking oil. The baskets dwell after each quarter turn indexing. One-quarter of the total required cooking time for the product elapses at each of the four dwell positions of the baskets. An auger-type product infeed unit at the first cooking position is actuated to open gates thereof and deliver a proper amount of the food product to each basket. At the fourth cooking position, each basket is vertically elevated by a linear actuator and the cooked product slides by gravity from an open side of each basket into a retriever basket located at the fourth cooking position outside of the cooking vessel which can be lifted and removed through a window forming part of an enclosure for the deep fryer which prevents contaminated vapors from re-entering the cooker.

Abstract: A single rotationally driven cam plate having cam follower grooves in its opposite faces generates and coordinates the movements of all apparatus components necessary to the product molding apparatus. The advancing and retracting of mold halves is coordinated through the rotating cam plate and directly associated mechanisms with the cutting off of pieces of moldable stock and the carrying of such pieces to a position for charging the mold. In conjunction with these operations and in properly timed relationship, the stock is advanced to a new cutting position. Certain of the cam driven mechanisms also act in proper sequence to advance molded product encapsulating films through a film guidance means and to operate film clamping and severing devices in such a way that the encapsulating film is always severed midway between molded product units.