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 manifold. 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 machine for tumble-coating food or other product with a coating material comprises a product conveyor belt and a carrier conveyor system, which underlies and supports at least a portion of the upper run of the product conveyor belt in a tumble or processing zone. The product conveyor belt and the carrier conveyor system work in conjunction with one another to allow the product conveyor to sag between a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart support rollers on the carrier conveyor system, forming a tumble chamber. Products captured in the tumble chamber are coated with a charge of coating material introduced into the tumble chamber. The formed tumble chambers are moved along as the product conveyor is driven, and products within the chambers are continuously tumbled and moved within the coating material to achieve excellent coating or breading characteristics and appearance.

Abstract: A processing apparatus, conveyor and method for processing products or materials, such as food processing equipment or methods, is configured such that the conveyor travels in a generally helical path within a processing chamber to expose products on the conveyor to a gaseous processing media such as heated or cooled air. The conveyor includes gas flow compensation including a plurality of gas flow compensation members which partially block a portion of the surface of the conveyor, preferably toward the exterior of the conveyor in the helical path, to deflect or direct more of the gaseous food processing media away from the less densely distributed products or materials at the exterior of the conveyor caused when the conveyor follows the helical path. The processing media is thus preferably forced in the direction of the more densely distributed products toward the interior of conveyor to uniformly expose product on the conveyor to the processing media.

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: An improved, slide plate-type patty forming apparatus (20) is provided which preferably includes a reciprocating slide plate (60) with a removable, multiple piston and cavity head (78) adapted to move between a retracted meat-filling position wherein respective patty forming cavities (90) are filled with meat to an extended patty-discharging position wherein formed meat patties (264) are ejected. Each of the patty forming pistons (96) is equipped with a porous bottom plate (104) formed of sintered metal or ceramic, an appropriate compressed air passageways (120, 122, 106) are provided for delivery of air through the bottom plate (104) for cleanly ejecting the formed patty (264). Adjusting mechanism (26) for altering the thickness of formed patties (264) includes a plurality of adjusting units (166) each equipped with a vertically shiftable, piston-engaging foot (176); movement of the feet (176) in unison is effected by means of handwheel (164) and connecting gear train (162, 200, 194, 192, 174).