Abstract: A process for infusion-drying carrots comprises immersing the carrots in a circulating bath of infusion syrup, the infusion syrup comprising water and infusion solids, the infusion solids comprising at least 20 weight percent corn syrup and the balance, if any, sugar, until the carrots attain a Brix from about 25 degrees to about 50 degrees, separating the infused carrots from the infusion syrup, and drying the infused carrots, by directing a stream of hot air over and through the infused carrots, the hot air having a temperature from about 140 degrees F. to about 200 degrees F., until the infusion-dried carrots attain a water activity from about 0.30 to about 0.63.

Abstract: A process for infusing sugar into fruits and vegetables comprises the steps of providing a quantity of produce, treating the produce for a period of time sufficient to cause osmotic rupturing of at least a portion of the cells within the produce by contacting the produce with water, then infusing the treated produce by contacting it with a concentrated infusion syrup in a stage-wise manner for a time sufficient to prepare an infused produce having a Brix level from about 40.degree. to about 52.degree..

Abstract: The invention comprises a machine for slicing food products into then strips. Two stacks of spaced, axially aligned circular blades are positioned so as to be driven in counterrotating intermeshing relationship. Each of the blades comprises a central hub connected to a peripheral cutting ring by a plurality of spokes. Spacers are provided between adjacent ones of the circular blades. The stacked blades are assembled with the spokes of succeeding ones of the blades displaced by a predetermined angular amount, so that the spokes define a plurality of helical paths through the interior of the stacks. As the blades are rotated the food product is sliced by being forced between the spaced blades, and the resulting strips are deposited within the interior of the stack to travel along the helical paths defined by the spokes and be discharged at the end of the stack.

Abstract: Plastics are separated and recovered from mixtures containing plastics and other materials, by flotation in an aqueous dispersion, wherein the disperse phase comprises a substance such as for example calcium carbonate having an average mean particle size from about 1 micron to about 75 microns. The process is particularly useful for separating polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride from comminuted wire and cable scrap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preheating pulverous materials, such as glass batch constituents, prior to their introduction into a melting furnace to increase the efficiency and output of the melting installation. The pulverous materials are passed downwardly through a shell and tube preheater with super-atmospheric gas pressure over the pulverous material to force the contained moisture downwardly to be vented from a lower region of the preheater. The increased gas pressure prevents moisture condensation and build-up on the pulverous material within the tubes, especially in cooler areas, which can cause tube pluggage. The subject invention is of particular utility to the glass industry and especially glass melting furnaces, but is also applicable to other types of furnaces.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a modular form of solar energy collector apparatus in which several double-wall glass tube collectors, each with vacuum jacket, depend from opposite sides of an elongated manifold. The manifold includes split halves of foamed polymer insulation and rigid fiberglass reinforced skin thereon, assembled about closed-looped, serpentine liquid carrying tubes preferably of metal or glass in U-tube configurations depending from the manifold halves and extending into the larger double-walled glass tubes, the serpentine tube being connected, respectively, into inlet and outlet header pipes. The interior chamber of the collector tubes is closed by the manifold, thereby enclosing a part of each U-tube branch of the serpentine in a non-turbulent air space.The manifold and tubes are fastened to a support structure of novel construction enabling fabrication as a module and mounting on a solar exposure of a structure such as a roof, wall or frame.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a modular form of solar energy collector apparatus in which several double-wall glass tube collectors, each with vacuum jacket, depend from opposite sides of an elongated manifold. The manifold includes split halves of foamed polymer insulation and rigid fiberglass reinforced skin thereon, assembled about closed-looped, serpentine liquid carrying tubes preferably of metal or glass in U-tube configurations depending from the manifold halves and extending into the larger double-walled glass tubes, the serpentine tube being connected, respectively, into inlet and outlet header pipes. The interior chamber of the collector tubes is closed by the manifold, thereby enclosing a part of each U-tube branch of the serpentine in a non-turbulent air space. Solar energy collected on the absorber surface of the inner glass tube wall is transmitted to the U-tube and liquid therein. The U-tube within the collectors is blackened and non-reflecting.