Abstract: A pivot assembly for use in an electric fryer that rotates heating elements out of a frypot, and a pivot housing that prevents the passage of outside contaminants from entering the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly comprises a tube that has mounting position for heating elements, and the elements can be lowered and raised into the frypot. The pivot housing comprises a hood that fits over the pivot assembly and forms a seal around the assembly, preventing the passage of oil therethrough. The tube of the pivot assembly can comprise one or more heating elements, and the heating elements can be lowered or raised independently of one another.

Abstract: A device and method for automated frying of foods is provided. The device includes a fry vat for containing and heating cooking oil, at least one circular fry wheel with a plurality of compartments having openings towards the perimeter of the fry wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the fry wheel, and an overflow passageway located above a normal operating level of cooking oil in the fry vat. The fry wheel rotates about a radial axis disposed above the normal operating level of the cooking oil. A control mechanism for causing the drive mechanism to rotate the fry wheel back and forth to simulate shaking of a fry basket may be included. A food inlet is preferably included adjacent the overflow passageway or a foam deck including the overflow passageway. In a preferred method, the fry wheel submerges food in cooking oil and shakes the submerged food in a fry basket.

Abstract: A microplate is provided herein having a plate body with at least one well formed therein, the well having a first open end, a second end, an aperture being formed in the second end, and a side wall extending between the first end and the second end. The microplate further has a dialysis membrane extending at least partially across the aperture formed in the second end. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a microplate is provided with a dialysis membrane which allows not only for removal of certain solutes from a solution (high or low molecular weight solutes), but also allows for separation of macromolecular mixtures. Accordingly, a solution may be manipulated with the subject invention to have its concentration altered, to be desalted, and/or to be fractionated.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, such as an individual portion-sized container. The system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. The food is fried and thereafter it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and filled by an automated container handling and filling system. After a food container is filled, an automated device transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for use in an electric fryer that rotates heating elements out of a frypot, and a pivot housing that prevents the passage of outside contaminants from entering the pivot assembly. The pivot assembly comprises a tube that has mounting position for heating elements, and the elements can be lowered and raised into the frypot. The pivot housing comprises a hood that fits over the pivot assembly and forms a seal around the assembly, preventing the passage of oil therethrough. The tube of the pivot assembly can comprise one or more heating elements, and the heating elements can be lowered or raised independently of one another.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food.

Abstract: The field dressing device of the invention is made to accept the tip of a knife blade, whose cutting surface faces in the same general direction as the tip of the field dressing device. The top portion of the tip of the field dressing device pushes the hide of the animal upwards, while the bottom portion of the tip of the field dressing device pushes the entrails downwards. The configuration of the field dressing device, together with its configured acceptance of the knife blade, permits the user's hand to be kept outside the animal while opening its stomach to remove the entrails.