Abstract: A rotating nozzle assembly for a die machine connectable to a dough extruder has a stationary sleeve with a first end having internal and external annular recesses and an annular stepped seating surface and a second end mountable in the die machine mounting plate. A nozzle has a first end rotatably disposed in the stationary-sleeve first-end internal annular recess, a second end and a radially outwardly-protruding annular ring between the first and second nozzle ends. A ring seal is disposed between the stationary-sleeve first-end annular stepped seating surface and the radially outwardly-protruding annular nozzle ring. A nozzle cap is fixedly attached to the stationary-sleeve first end. The nozzle is rotatably disposed in the nozzle cap. The nozzle second end extends beyond the nozzle cap. An annular stepped axial thrust bearing surface in the nozzle cap prevents relative axial movement of the nozzle while allowing rotation of the nozzle.

Abstract: A rotating nozzle assembly for a die machine connectable to a dough extruder has a stationary sleeve with a first end having internal and external annular recesses and an annular stepped seating surface and a second end mountable in the die machine mounting plate. A nozzle has a first end rotatably disposed in the stationary-sleeve first-end internal annular recess, a second end and a radially outwardly-protruding annular ring between the first and second nozzle ends. A ring seal is disposed between the stationary-sleeve first-end annular stepped seating surface and the radially outwardly-protruding annular nozzle ring. A nozzle cap is fixedly attached to the stationary-sleeve first end. The nozzle is rotatably disposed in the nozzle cap. The nozzle second end extends beyond the nozzle cap. An annular stepped axial thrust bearing surface in the nozzle cap prevents relative axial movement of the nozzle while allowing rotation of the nozzle.

Abstract: An oven for baking a food product includes a housing having a ceiling, a floor, first and second opposing side walls, at least one internal heating zone defined by the ceiling, the floor and the first and second opposing side walls, and at least one heating source for providing heat to the at least one internal heating zone. The ceiling is formed of carbon steel. At least a surface of the ceiling facing the at least one internal heating zone is formed as a high emissivity chemical conversion coating.

Abstract: A composite potato chip and pretzel product includes a first layer made from a first dough and a second layer made from a second dough adjacent the first layer. The first dough is a potato dough and the second dough is a wheat dough. Also provided is a method for making a composite potato chip and pretzel product. Potato dough and wheat dough are prepared and passed through first and second sheet rollers, respectively, to produce a composite dough sheet having a potato dough layer adjacent a wheat dough layer. The composite dough sheet is then cut into a plurality of individual composite dough pieces, a layer of a cooker solution is applied on the wheat dough layer to form coated composite dough pieces. The coated composite dough pieces are then baked and subsequently dried to form a plurality of the composite potato chip and pretzel product.

Abstract: An oven for baking a food product includes a housing having a ceiling, a floor, first and second opposing side walls, at least one internal heating zone defined by the ceiling, the floor and the first and second opposing side walls, and at least one heating source for providing heat to the at least one internal heating zone. The ceiling is formed of carbon steel. At least a surface of the ceiling facing the at least one internal heating zone is formed as a high emissivity chemical conversion coating.

Abstract: A rotary drive nozzle die machine for an extruder includes a rotatable nozzle having first and second axial ends and at least one opening at the second end, a compression head for directing a food material to the nozzle, and a drive assembly including a tubular drive sleeve configured to rotate the nozzle and from which the nozzle is axially removable. A housing is provided in which the nozzle rotates. A wire ring coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle and provides a snap-fit connection with the housing such that relative axial movement of the nozzle and the housing is prevented while allowing rotary movement of the nozzle with respect to the housing. A rotary seal is between the nozzle and the housing and includes a first segment extending from the first axial end of the nozzle radially outwardly to and contiguous with an axially extending second segment.

Abstract: A rotary drive nozzle die machine for an extruder includes a rotatable nozzle having first and second axial ends and an opening at the second end, a compression head for directing a food material to the nozzle, and a drive assembly including a tubular drive sleeve configured to rotate the an axially removable nozzle. A housing is provided in which the nozzle rotates, and includes an annular recess. A wire ring coaxially surrounds the nozzle and provides a snap-fit connection with the housing such that relative axial movement of the nozzle and housing is prevented while allowing rotary movement. A rotary seal is between the nozzle and housing, and includes one or more annular washers and an annular O-ring surrounding the rotatable nozzle and located radially between opposed facing annular surfaces of the recess and the nozzle. A first washer contacts an axially outwardly facing surface of the annular recess.

Abstract: A composite potato chip and pretzel product includes a first layer made from a first dough and a second layer made from a second dough adjacent the first layer. The first dough is a potato dough and the second dough is a wheat dough. Also provided is a method for making a composite potato chip and pretzel product. Potato dough and wheat dough are prepared and passed through first and second sheet rollers, respectively, to produce a composite dough sheet having a potato dough layer adjacent a wheat dough layer. The composite dough sheet is then cut into a plurality of individual composite dough pieces, a layer of a cooker solution is applied on the wheat dough layer to form coated composite dough pieces. The coated composite dough pieces are then baked and subsequently dried to form a plurality of the composite potato chip and pretzel product.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rotary drive nozzle die machine for use with at least first and second dough extruders. The machine includes at least one rotatable nozzle having at least two openings for extruding at least two strands of dough therethrough, a first compression head for directing a first flow of a first type of dough under pressure from the first extruder toward the at least one rotatable nozzle and a second compression head for directing a second flow of a second type of dough under pressure from the second extruder toward the at least one rotatable nozzle.

Abstract: A rotary drive die nozzle machine for an extruder comprises at least one rotatable nozzle having at least three openings. A compression head directs food material from the extruder toward at least one rotating nozzle. A drive assembly including at least one drive gear rotates the at least one nozzle. The at least one nozzle is axially removable from the drive gear to allow replacement with nozzle openings of different sizes and shapes. The machine includes a series of seals to prevent the extruded food product from getting into the drive assembly and to prevent grease and other matter from the drive assembly from getting into the food material.

Abstract: A tunnel-type conveyor oven having two types of heat sources is provided. The oven includes a conveyor for carrying items through the oven along a conveyor path. The conveyor has first and second opposite sides. A plurality of radiant heaters are located transverse to and extend across the conveyor path. The radiant heaters are spaced apart in a direction of the conveyor path. Each radiant heater includes an inner tube having a wall with a plurality of openings defined therethrough, an open first end and a second end. A burner is directed into the open first end of the inner tube. An outer tube is located around the inner tube. The outer tube has an outer surface which is adapted to radiate heat, a first end and a second end. An exhaust outlet is located on the second end of the outer tube.