Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods for controlling pressurized air streams within a food-processing oven. In this invention, two or more pressurized air streams are caused to collide creating a turbulent airflow in a third and separate direction. One or more dampers are used to control the location and direction of the third resultant flow allowing treated air to be moved at designated speeds to and from specific locations within the oven for controlled lengths of time. The resulting airflow may be directed horizontally across horizontally laid product or vertically across vertically hung products thereby minimizing times where treated air is blocked by the either product or its support racks. This yields improved product uniformity, consistency, temperature, and moisture content while improving food safety and product yield with reduced processing time.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to methods for controlling pressurized air streams within a food-processing oven. In this invention, two or more pressurized air streams are caused to collide creating a turbulent airflow in a third and separate direction. One or more dampers are used to control the location and direction of the third resultant flow allowing treated air to be moved at designated speeds to and from specific locations within the oven for controlled lengths of time. The resulting airflow may be directed horizontally across horizontally laid product or vertically across vertically hung products thereby minimizing times where treated air is blocked by the either product or its support racks. This yields improved product uniformity, consistency, temperature, and moisture content while improving food safety and product yield with reduced processing time.

Abstract: A thermal process used to modify the moisture content and appearance of food, primarily meat, poultry and fowl, so that the resulting product will meet the USDA label requirement as “Jerky”. The process takes place in one or more enclosed insulated chambers which have temperature and relative humidity controls and reversing horizontal air flow. The process preconditions the product and also controls the application of superheated steam to the product, thereby controlling the reduction of free and bound moisture (water activity) exiting from the product. In addition, enhanced heated vapors can be added to be absorbed into the product's surface pours, thereby changing the appearance and flavor of the product and improving the end products' yields. The completed process also has the advantages of meeting lethality treatment requirements while also reducing the thermal processing time and energy associated with existing Jerky manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A method of processing a first type of product and a second type of product in a common chamber, by passing of a first type of product into the chamber and causing it to dwell for a predetermined first dwell time, and then passing a batch of a second type of product into the chamber and causing it to dwell for a predetermined second dwell time different from the first dwell time.

Abstract: A process ing system for processing batches of different products in the same process conditions, and having chamber means having zones, processing conditions means for each zone, to procure uniform process conditions within each zone, including water treatment means in at least one zone, first and second separate side by side conveyors passing through the chamber, batch supports maovable on respective first and second conveyors, for carrying batches of products, conveyor movement means for moving said separate batch supports at different timings, to procure different transit and dwell times of different products within the same zones of the chamber, and, control means connected to the conveyor, and a method of processing products in such a system.

Abstract: A product press, for supporting product during processing, and having a support frame, at least one fixed tray member fixed to the support frame, at least one movable tray movable towards and away from the fixed tray for holding product, biasing means urging the movable tray towards the fixed tray for applying pressure to product stored therebetween, and means for releasably holding the trays apart.

Abstract: A processing chamber for processing products and having different processing conditions in different chamber zones, a single continuous conveyor extending through the chamber from one end to the other, unit supports supportable on the conveyor for moving units from one end to the other, a first unit movement system to move units through the chamber at a predetermined first speed, a second unit movement system for moving units through the chamber at a predetermined second speed, engagement devices interengageable between the unit supports and the first movement system, or the second movement system, selectively, and a control to control the first and second movement system for selective timed operation.

Abstract: A processing system for batches of different products in the same conditions, and having chamber means having zones, air circulation for each zone, and tempering for tempering the air zones, to produce uniform conditions within each zone, first and second separate side by side conveyors passing through the chamber, batch supports movable on respective first and second conveyors, for carrying batches of compatible products, conveyor movement for moving said separate batch supports at different speeds, and different timings, to procure different transit and dwell times of different products within the same zones of the chamber, and, control means connected to the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing meat products in a controlled environment, in which chambers are arranged in pairs, side by side with one another, and defined by outside walls, and a common median wall, with meat support means arranged on facing surfaces of the walls and having air ducts provided in the walls and openings provided over the extent of the inside surfaces of the walls whereby air may flow from side to side across the chambers and air supply ducts connected to distribution ducts in the walls, and a fan for forcing air therearound, and means whereby flow through the various ducts may be reversed at periodic intervals so that air flow will take place across the chambers in opposite directions, reversing at predetermined intervals during the treatment.

Abstract: A processing chamber having a predetermined cross-sectional area, and an overhead conveyor system extending therethrough, the conveyor system incorporating a plurality of movable support members or trollies, and a plurality of generally downwardly dependent carrier members extending from the conveyor system at spaced apart intervals therealong at least some of the carrier members having at least two releasable attachment means thereon vertically spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance, and there being a plurality of meat product hanger members, one meat product hanger member being releasably attachable to a said attachment means, and each of the meat product hanger means being adapted to support a predetermined load quantity of meat products, in spaced apart relation from other meat products supported on the other meat product hanger members, whereby on at least some of the carrier members, the meat products may be supported in separate load quantities, in vertically spaced apart relation from

Abstract: An air flow reverser apparatus for use in association with an air flow system having air supply and return port means, said apparatus comprising a main supply duct, and a main return duct, said ducts being connectable to said respective supply and return port means of said air flow system, at least two branch supply ducts communicating with said main supply duct, at least two branch return ducts communicating with said main return duct, supply damper means for selectively shutting off at least one of said branch supply ducts, while leaving at least one said branch supply duct open, return damper means for selectively shutting off at least one of said branch return ducts while leaving at least one said branch return duct open, and means interconnecting said supply and return damper means whereby when a selected one of said branch supply ducts is closed, a selected one of said branch return ducts is open, and power operated means for moving the same from one position to another simultaneously.

Abstract: An air flow reverser apparatus for use in association with an air flow system having air supply and return port means, said apparatus comprising a main supply duct, and a main return duct, said ducts being connectable to said respective supply and return port means of said air flow system, at least two branch supply ducts communicating with said main supply duct, at least two branch return ducts communicating with said main return duct, supply damper means for selectively shutting off at least one of said branch supply ducts, while leaving at least one said branch supply duct open, return damper means for selectively shutting off at least one of said branch return ducts while leaving at least one said branch return duct open, and means interconnecting said supply and return damper means whereby when a selected one of said branch supply ducts is closed, a selected one of said branch return ducts is open, and power operated means for moving the same from one position to another simultaneously.