Abstract: A rotary air impingement oven enables volume production of oil-free food products including those from root crops such as potato chips. The oven contains a cage-like drum with perforate or foraminous sidewalls rotatably disposed within the oven such that the sidewalls, containing product therein, are exposed to temperature and velocity controlled impinging process vapor which is withdrawn continuously during drum rotation. The food products within the drum are urged by an internal baffle towards the drum discharge during rotation.

Abstract: An improved pumping device for delicate or easily damaged products is provided with a hopper, or other system for holding the products, and at least one, and preferably two, synchronized piston pumps positioned proximate to the bottom of the hopper. The piston pumps displace the product from the interior of the hopper into a consolidating feed manifold where the product is then dispensed through a discharge conduit into suitable receptacles. Each of the piston pumps preferably includes a pump cylinder with a fixed, elongated, cylindrical sleeve housing and an elongated rotatable cylindrical sleeve positioned within the sleeve housing, both enclosing a piston chamber. A first longitudinal opening or access port is formed in the fixed sleeve housing and a corresponding second longitudinal opening or access portion is formed in the rotatable sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing a conveyor belt including a framework and a plurality of modules attachable to the framework to perform the tasks of debris removal, scrubbing, rinsing and sanitizing.