Abstract: A work station has a cooking kettle mounted for movement between an upright cooking position and a tilted pouring position. The work station includes a support structure defining a work surface above which the cooking kettle is mounted. A splash guard is mounted on the support structure for movement between a first position whereat the splash guard forms a portion of the work surface and a second position whereat the splash guard forms a barrier against splashing substances poured from the kettle when in its pouring position.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus includes a cabinet defining a food processing compartment accessible through a front access opening, and has a door hinged on the cabinet for movement between open and closed positions relative to the access opening. The door includes inner and outer door panels pivotally interconnected to enable access between the panels. The inner and outer door panels have aligned windows with the windows on the inner panel being larger so as to enable light from lights mounted on the inside of the outer panel to illuminate the processing compartment without glare to the operator. Other features of the invention enable better control of zoned heating within the processing compartment when used in either convection steam or convection hot air modes of operation.

Abstract: An elongated heat exchange tube and method of making same are disclosed wherein a pair of elongated generally right-angle metallic wall members are adapted for mirror image connection to form an outer tube wall of generally rectangular transverse cross-section. A plurality of internal generally planar heat transfer fins having 90.degree. weld flanges are secured to inner surfaces of the right-angle walls and define longitudinal flow passages through which heated combustion gases are passed to effect improved heat transfer to the outer peripheral wall of the heat transfer tube with enhanced heat convection to a medium in contact with the outer surface of the outer tube wall. A plurality of the heat exchange tubes may be mounted within a compact steam generator for highly efficient production of steam for a steam oven.

Abstract: An adjustable support rack for releasable mounting within an oven chamber or the like includes a plurality of rack members secured in parallel spaced relation to transverse support rods which facilitate releasable mounting on an upstanding sidewall of the oven chamber with the rack members closely adjacent the sidewall to support trays or pans of maximum lateral width. A second pair of support rods are cooperative with the rack members to enable mounting on the sidewall with the rack members spaced from the sidewall so as to cooperate with fixed rack members on a laterally opposite upstanding sidewall of the oven chamber to support trays and pans of shorter lateral width.

Abstract: A drain assembly is disclosed for use in a steamer type food processing apparatus having an oven chamber into which steam is introduced and from which steam bubbles may escape with condensate through a drain line. The drain assembly includes a tubular body having a longitudinal flow passage defining an inlet end adapted to receive steam droplets and condensate from the oven chamber, an outlet end enabling discharge of condensate from the flow passage, a quenching fluid inlet tube and splash plate operative to create a fluid screen across the flow passage downstream from said inlet end, a vent tube intersecting the flow passage downstream from the quenching fluid inlet to enable escape of vapor from the flow passage, and an overflow tube connected to said flow passage and configured to create a fluid trap within the overflow tube. The overflow tube allows backed-up condensate within the longitudinal flow passage to be discharged from the overflow tube in the event the discharge end is blocked.

Abstract: Atmospheric convection type steamer apparatus includes at least one oven chamber and a discrete atmospheric steam generator operative to provide steam to the even chamber. A quiescent low fire power input to the steam generator maintains water in the steam generator at its boiling temperature during a non-cooking mode and provides a continuous steam flow into the oven chamber to maintain the chamber in a ready condition for substantially instantaneous steam heating when a cooking or high fire mode is initiated. In a stacked double oven embodiment, each oven chamber has a discrete atmospheric steam generator maintained at a quiescent low fire power input sufficient to maintain the water at its boiling temperature and effect a continuous ready condition within the corresponding oven chambers. Steam lines directly connect the oven chambers to their corresponding steam generators and enable introduction of cleaning and deliming agents directly into the steam generators from within the oven chambers.

Abstract: Atmospheric convection type steamer apparatus includes at least one oven chamber and a discrete atmospheric steam generator operative to provide steam to the oven chamber. A quiescent low fire power input to the steam generator maintains water in the steam generator at its boiling temperature during a non-cooking mode and provides a continuous steam flow into the oven chamber to maintain the chamber in a ready condition for substantially instantaneous steam heating when a cooking or high fire mode is initiated. In a stacked double oven embodiment, each oven chamber has a discrete atmospheric steam generator maintained at a quiescent low fire power input sufficient to maintain the water at its boiling temperature and effect a continuous ready condition within the corresponding oven chambers. Steam lines directly connect the oven chambers to their corresponding steam generators and enable introduction of cleaning and deliming agents directly into the steam generators from within the oven chambers.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior of a boiler wherein a cleaning solution reservoir is mounted within an appliance in which the boiler is housed, and a flow conduit circuit interconnects the reservoir to the boiler and has an eductor operative to draw cleaning solution from the reservoir and pass it to the interior of the associated boiler when water under pressure is introduced into the eductor. The method finds particular application is de-scaling boilers employed in steam cooking ovens and the like wherein the boilers are relatively inaccessible.

Abstract: A cart for transporting at least one dolly to facilitate off-loading and on-loading of the dolly into and from a compartment having an entry edge. The cart includes a wheeled frame having upper and lower pairs of guide tracks extending longitudinally of the frame and adapted to support a pair of dollies. The cart carries a locking latch for releasably securing the cart in spaced relation to an oven cabinet or the like, and a bridge member adjacent the forward end of each pair of guide tracks for movement between a retracted position and an extended position bridging the space between the forward ends of the corresponding guide tracks and the entry edge of an adjacent compartment to facilitate off-loading and on-loading of a dolly into and from the compartment. A dolly retainer member is associated with each pair of guide tracks to releasably retain a dolly longitudinally on the corresponding guide tracks during transport.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning the interior of a boiler wherein the system includes a cleaning solution reservoir adapted for mounting within an appliance in which the boiler is housed, and a flow conduit circuit having eductor means operative to draw cleaning solution from the reservoir and pass it to the interior of the associated boiler when water under pressure is introduced into the eductor. The system finds particular application in descaling boilers employed in steam cooking ovens and the like wherein the boilers are relatively inaccessible.

Abstract: A door arrangement for a cabinet or the like having an access opening communicating with an internal compartment includes an inner door mounted on the cabinet for movement about a first hinge axis to facilitate access to the cabinet compartment. The inner door has an opening therethrough and carries a second door for hinged movement about a second hinge axis laterally offset from the first hinge axis to facilitate access to the cabinet compartment by hinged movement about the second hinge axis, access to the cabinet compartment thus being obtainable by selective right-hand or left-hand opening of the door arrangement.

Abstract: A combination steam and dry oven has an integral boiler that is located inside the oven cavity. The combination oven can be operated as a forced-air convection oven, a force convection oven circulating superheated steam, or a steamer near the boiling temperature of water. Sensors in the oven supply information to a microprocessor that controls heating elements to maintain an oven temperature within 10.degree. Fahrenheit. The oven functions by circulating superheated steam by blowing its circulating gas over the surface of the internal boiler, which is protected from contamination by a baffle. Sensors of the level of water in the boiler assure that the water level either stays within predetermined limits or else shuts down the oven if the water level is out of limits. Tray stops keep foods and the trays containing them away from the walls of the oven to permit free circulation of air or superheated steam.

Abstract: A combination steam and dry oven has an integral boiler that is located inside the oven cavity. The combination oven can be operated as a forced-air convection oven, a forced convection oven circulating superheated steam, or a steamer near the boiling temperature of water. Sensors in the oven supply information to a microprocessor that controls heating elements to maintain an oven temperature within 10.degree. Fahrenheit. The oven functions by circulating superheated steam by blowing its circulating gas over the surface of the internal boiler, which is protected from contamination by a baffle. Sensors of the level of water in the boiler assure that the water level either stays within predetermined limits or else shuts down the oven if the water level is out of limits. Tray stops keep foods and the trays containing them away from the walls of the oven to permit free circulation of air or superheated steam.

Abstract: A jacketed kettle on a trunnion mount is tiltable for pouring a contained liquid. The inside of the kettle has a central substantially cylindrical portion that permits an agitator to be driven from the underside of the kettle while making a liquid seal above the contained liquid surface. The jacket may contain water which is heated by an immersed thermostatically controlled electric heater. A sight glass mounted into the outside of the kettle provides a visual indication of the water level in the jacket. Continuation of the outside of the kettle below the jacket provides a covered enclosure for a motor that drives the agitator by means of a gear drive unit, and for necessary electrical connectors. A symmetric agitator provides for wiping at or near the kettle inside surface and the surface of the central cylindrical portion of the kettle, and for mixing liquid within the kettle. The kettle is balanced for tipping by a lever and for return to the vertical position upon release of the lever.

Abstract: A gas-fired combination steam and dry oven has an oven cavity that is heated by heat exchange from one or more fire tubes and a boiler that is located outside the oven cavity and is heated by heat exchange from one or more other fire tubes. Both the oven and boiler fire tube heat exchangers employ natural draft gas burners. The combination oven can be operated as a forced-air convection oven, a forced-flow convection oven circulating superheated steam, or a steamer circulating saturated steam. Sensors in the oven supply information to a microprocessor that controls the gas burners to maintain an oven temperature within 5.degree. F. or less. Sensors of the level of water in the boiler assure that the water level stays within predetermined limits. Tray stops keep foods and the trays containing them away from the walls of the oven to permit free circulation of air, saturated steam, or superheated steam.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving currency which includes a housing having a deposit section and a recess for removably receiving a box for holding the currency. Passages for the currency are defined within the deposit section, and entries are defined by the box communicating with the passages. The box includes a blocking plate normally closing the entries with first and second locking means holding the plate in blocking position to prevent access. Lock operating means are positioned within the housing recess, and one lock is associated with the box to unlock the blocking plate when the box is properly positioned within the recess. A second lock on the box must be unlocked to enable operation of the lock operating means within the recess. The passages for the currency comprise at least two passages for separately receiving bills and coins, and the entries to the box comprise separate openings communicating with the respective passages.