Abstract: A commercial toaster apparatus having a “quick start” feature that nearly instantly changes from a “stand-by” mode to a “toasting” mode. The “quick start” mode is provided by changing the circuitry of some of the quartz heating elements from a series configuration to a parallel one wherein a higher voltage can be applied for a controlled amount of time to regulate the quartz heaters without adversely affecting the life span of the heating elements. Temperature probes are used to adjust the duty cycle of the apparatus to enable a uniform toast color as the cavity chamber temperature of the toaster changes over time. A sensor is also provided that determines when a last product is placed on the conveyer and the duty cycle has been completed such that the unit will automatically switch to a “stand-by” mode, thus reducing the energy requirements of the toaster.

Abstract: A roller grill bearing assembly that can be adapted to fit on any size roller grill or roller tubes. The bearing assembly substantially increases the bearing land on the roller grill housing and increases the bearing area over the land. The bearing assembly permits the bearing apparatus to be snapped in place on the stamped opening on a sheet metal side panel as done using current manufacturing methods. Further, the bearing assembly can be produced using current manufacturing techniques without significantly changing the cost of production. Most importantly, the invention substantially increases the life span of the bearing.

Abstract: A safe product transfer apparatus that heats refrigerated food products and then hold those heated food products in a hold drawer until they can be transferred to a heater merchandizer, preferably a roller grill as needed. The apparatus features a control assembly. A pre-heat indicator indicates when the preheat temperature has been reached so that the food products can be loaded into an operable drawer. The apparatus can heat a refrigerated product from 34° F. to greater than or equal to 140° F. in 35 minutes or less. The apparatus has a safe product transfer apparatus that has a heating cavity ranging from 250° F. to 425° F. The apparatus provides a safe product transfer apparatus that can hold the products stored therein at a safe holding temperature (ranging from greater or equal to 140° F. to not more than 205° F.), that is, not hot enough to continue heating or degrading the food product.

Abstract: A programmable control system for controlling the ratio of heating time “on” compared to time “off”. The digital control can be set to an “on”/“off” time duty cycle, and power level that determines the temperature of the cooking surface. The cooking surface can be divided into separately controllable zones. The need to actually sense the temperature at the roller tube is eliminated. The time based control can be set to cook at higher temperatures by increasing the “on time” relative to the “off time” or inversely, reducing the “on time” to the “off time”. A “pre-heat” cycle is provided to raise the grill to a predetermined set point for holding the elements full “on” for a selectable time period. Then, after the selectable time period has been reached, the control automatically sets the programmed “cook” time and temperature.

Abstract: A roller grill bearing assembly that can be adapted to fit on any size roller grill or roller tubes. The bearing assembly substantially increases the bearing land on the roller grill housing and increases the bearing area over the land. The bearing assembly permits the bearing apparatus to be snapped in place on the stamped opening on a sheet metal side panel as done using current manufacturing methods. Further, the bearing assembly can be produced using current manufacturing techniques without significantly changing the cost of production. Most importantly, the invention substantially increases the life span of the bearing.

Abstract: A divider apparatus for a roller grill. The invention has three main components: a front having front slots; a rear rail having rear slots; and at least one divider bar. There are three front rail variations, two major divider variations and four rear rail variations, thus providing a total of at least nine permutations and combinations by mixing and matching the apparatus components to enable the grill cooking surface to be divided into multiple cooking sections for different products to be cooked thereon. It can be retrofitted to fit on any size roller grill including grills with sneeze guards. It can also be attached without restricting access to the front of the roller grill so that products can be easily removed or placed on the grill or blocking the view or cleaning of the grill.

Abstract: A heated air curtain warmer that has a plurality of loops wherein each loop has a duct and a fan corresponding to a heating element, wherein each fan provides an air flow wherein a portion of the airflow of each fan is divided between a portion that provides an air curtain and a portion that flows over and around the stored products that are to be heated. Each loop has a corresponding food storage container for storage of food products. A control system for controlling the temperature of each loop wherein each loop is associated with a zone wherein said control system provides a uniform temperature for the zone such that each zone is maintained at a predetermined temperature such that the control system controls the temperature of each heating element, fan and duct combination independent of but in concert with the others to provide a predetermined and uniform temperature of each zone of the apparatus.

Abstract: A safe product transfer apparatus that heats refrigerated food products and then hold those heated food products in a hold drawer until they can be transferred to a heater merchandizer, preferably a roller grill as needed. The apparatus features a control assembly. A pre-heat indicator indicates when the preheat temperature has been reached so that the food products can be loaded into an operable drawer. The apparatus can heat a refrigerated product from 34° F. to greater than or equal to 140° F. in 35 minutes or less. The apparatus has a safe product transfer apparatus that has a heating cavity ranging from 250° F. to 425° F. The apparatus provides a safe product transfer apparatus that can hold the products stored therein at a safe holding temperature (ranging from greater or equal to 140° F. to not more than 205° F.), that is, not hot enough to continue heating or degrading the food product.

Abstract: A surgical irrigation system utilizing a flow sensor device; upon sensing fluid flow, the flow sensor device activates a fluid acceleration or pumping mechanism to pump fluid to a surgical site; the flow sensor device is capable of being conveniently located between an elevated source of fluid and a surgical handpiece; since the flow sensor device activates the pumping mechanism, the surgical handpiece is liberated from use of an electrical-type switch to activate the pumping mechanism, and, instead, is provided with a valve for mechanically starting and stopping fluid flow.

Abstract: An improved surgical suction/irrigation probe assembly is provided. The unique suction/irrigation probe assembly comprises a handpiece configured to accept a source of irrigation fluid and a source of vacuum or suction. Further, the handpiece provides a means for a surgeon to select either irrigation fluid or suction. Moreover, the handpiece has an outlet region capable of accepting a rotatable adaptor. The assembly further comprises a rotatable adaptor which is capable of being placed into engagement with the outlet region of the handpiece. Further, a shaft and fitting assembly is provided which is snapped into the rotatable adaptor and which shaft is utilized to supply either irrigation fluid or suction to a surgical site.

Abstract: A seal is adapted for use with a suction and/or irrigation device to prevent fluid flow through a flow passage defined in the device when an instrument is inserted therethrough. The seal includes a wall traversing the flow passage. A peripheral portion of the wall occupies a plane substantially perpendicular to of the flow passage and a central portion of the wall extends away from that plane in a direction toward the device's opening. The central portion of the wall is pierceable by an instrument and the central portion is adapted for sealing contact with an external surface of the instrument upon such insertion. A seal assembly and a suction-irrigation device are also described.

Abstract: An improved condiment pump has a container and a lid. A cylinder extends downwardly into the container and contains a piston and a piston rod. A lower ball valve is located near the bottom of the cylinder, and a side arm tube extends upwardly from the upper ball valve. An upper ball valve is located at the top of the side arm tube, and a spout extends upwardly from the upper ball valve. A plug covers the upper end of the upper ball valve. A spout extension extends downwardly into the upper ball valve to maintain the ball a predetermined distance from a hole in the plug, permitting passage of condiment chunks through the spout.

Abstract: An automated cash saving system including multiple remote cash saving machines for automatically receiving deposited cash in small amounts from multiple depositors, for automatically counting the cash deposited by each of the depositors, and for attributing the value of accounted cash to individual savings accounts identified by the depositors, and for electronically encoding the values and the accounts to which the cash is attributed; transmitters to multiple remote transmitters associated with the multiple remote cash saving machines for sending the electronically encoded information to a central processor for decoding, an automatic processor in the central processor wherein the identified accounts, the lock box at the multiple remote cash savings machines for holding deposited cash until it can be physically collected, and an authorization letter generating device associated with the central processor for obtaining the depositor's authorization to purchase preselected instruments on his behalf upon reachin