Abstract: An industrial automation controller includes a housing with a forced convection chamber. First and second fans are releasably connected to the housing and are adapted to induce airflow through the forced convection chamber. The first and second fans are each connected to the housing by respective first and second latch systems that each include a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch imposes a time delay during removal and replacement of a fan to facilitate hot swapping of the fan with a replacement fan. A make-last/break-first contact system is provided for each fan such that the fan is shutdown in a controlled manner prior to removal of the fan from the housing. The controller monitors internal temperature and fan speed. The controller initiates, logs, and reports fault conditions based upon the monitored temperature and/or fan speed. The controller is shut down if the monitored temperature exceeds a select temperature level.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding cooked dough includes at least one slot having an inlet, an outlet and a land. The land has a length and a depth, with the depth extending between the inlet and the outlet and the length extending between a first side and a second side of the land. The depth of the land varies along at least a portion of the length. A process for forming cereal flakes using the extrusion die includes the steps of extruding and cutting.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding cooked dough includes at least one slot having an inlet, an outlet and a land. The land has a length and a depth, with the depth extending between the inlet and the outlet and the length extending between a first side and a second side of the land. The depth of the land varies along at least a portion of the length. A process for forming cereal flakes using the extrusion die includes the steps of extruding and cutting.

Abstract: A process of creating a particulate encrusted food core comprises exposing a food core and a plurality of particulates to air currents. The air currents cause the particulates to collide with and adhere to the food core creating a particulate encrusted food core. The particulates may comprise granola and the food core may comprise a cereal. The encrusting process may occur within a fluidized bed apparatus.

Abstract: A container for beverages has a magnetic base which stabilizes the container when placed on metallic surfaces. The container is of double-wall construction, with concentric outer and inner wall sections, the wall sections being joined at their top portions. The diameter of each cylindrical (or tapered) section is such that an insulating space remains between outer and inner walls when assembled. Similarly, a space exists between the floor portions of each section; a magnet is disposed within the space between the floor sections and is held in position by a post extending from the outer floor section through an orifice in the magnet's center; alternatively the magnet is attached to an interior surface of the outer floor section. The magnetic field extends through the plastic material of the lower section, clamping the container a metal surfaces on which the container rests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a baked starch-based corn product. The method involves mixing masa flour and water and incompletely cooking the mixture during a precooking step, preferably during mixing of the ingredients. The incompletely cooked masa is sheeted and cut into shapes. The shapes are steamed, baked, and then dried. The steaming and baking steps advance the cooking of the masa constituents incompletely cooked during the mixing stage, resulting in an improved texture, bite, and shipping characteristic.