Abstract: The invention concerns a chamber (1) divided into two zones (11, 12) for preservation at different temperature, separated by a vertical mobile thermal barrier (10), capable of sliding horizontally and enabling said zones (11, 12) to exhibit modifiable dimensions as required. The meal trays (4) comprise, on opposite edges, notches (7) adapted to receive a removable insulating partition (8, 9) separating the meals (13) to be served hot from those to be served cold and whereof the position can be modified to correspond with that of the thermal barrier (10). Vertical sheaths (21) enable, by means of turbines, to circulate warm or cool air, through orifices (22). A valve (23) prevents the air in sheaths (21) from passing through the evaporator (18). Electric resistors (16) with fins are arranged opposite or beneath the meal trays (4). A refrigerating compressor (20, 20′), provided in a lower casing (2) or an upper casing (3), for cool air diffusion and circulation, feed the evaporator (18).

Abstract: The invention concerns a chamber (1) divided into two zones (11, 12) for preservation at different temperature, separated by a vertical mobile thermal barrier (10), capable of sliding horizontally and enabling said zones (11, 12) to exhibit modifiable dimensions as required. The meal trays (4) comprise, on opposite edges, notches (7) adapted to receive a removable insulating partition (8, 9) separating the meals (13) to be served hot from those to be served cold and whereof the position can be modified to correspond with that of the thermal barrier (10). Vertical sheaths (21) enable, by means of turbines, to circulate warm or cool air, through orifices (22). A valve (23) prevents the air in sheaths (21) from passing through the evaporator (18). Electric resistors (16) with fins are arranged opposite or beneath the meal trays (4). A refrigerating compressor (20, 20′), provided in a lower casing (2) or an upper casing (3), for cool air diffusion and circulation, feed the evaporator (18).

Abstract: PURPOSE: To facilitate a bending of a core and to reduce a resistance of fluid by a method wherein a fin at one end is overlapped integrally between each of rows from a deformation part of the core and the other end fin is separated for each of the rows and contacted and fixed to a tube, respectively.CONSTITUTION: Tubes 1 and 2 are arranged in a thickness direction of a core. The tubes pass through several fins 3 and 4. The fin 3 is provided with tube insertion holes of circular form in two rows. Outside tube and the core part formed by the fin 4 are projected longer than that of the core. A reamer is placed within the tube to expand an outer diameter and then the tube is press fitted to the fin. A bending machining guide jig 6 is placed within the core, an external force is applied to the core as indicated by an arrow and bent.

Abstract: A mobile device for the preservation and reheating with movable thermal barriers and constant level distribution of hot and cold meal-trays. The device includes a housing having a mobile distributing column of meal-trays having a mobile articulated thermal barrier which supports the trays and lifts them up to a distribution door while separating the cold area from the hot area by effecting a rotation by means of a roller chain driven by pulleys actuated by a pedal crank gear mechanism. The device provides for the distribution of meal-trays at a constant level while providing for the reheating and preservation of hot and cold food dishes placed on the same meal-tray waiting to be distributed.

Abstract: A safety valve device for packages of products to be cooked, cooled, reheated, or degassed and a package that includes such a safety valve. The valve includes a peripheral portion attached to the package support and a movable flap with an end portion connected to the peripheral portion to form a hinge portion exerting a resilient return force determined by bending slots shaped so that the end portion retains a certain degree of rigidity and has a sensitive shape memory function, enabling it to be opened by gas pressure and dynamically closed upon cooling. A projection on the underside of the flap acts as seal engaging the recess in the package support during cooling, and includes suitably positioned spikes for engaging one or more gas discharge outlets in the recess.

Abstract: Apparatus for selecting, mixing and preparing, as required, fresh desserts made up of crushed fruits mixed with a natural cream, provided with a distribution cone having several compartments containing different fruits which pivots about a central body serving as a container for the cream which is ready to be added and mixed with a selected fruit. A compartment within the distribution cone is positionable over a bowl next to a motor, the driven pinion of which engages with a gear of the mixing bowl for the selected fruit, whereby the selected fruit is crushed and then mixed with natural cream by means of a worm gear and the associated blade.

Abstract: Device for reheating and dispensing cooked meals arranged on a meal tray and stored on stand-by in a refrigerated enclosure. Each tray may contain different foodstuffs, and can therefore be selected by the consumer. Reheating is carried out by a sliding oven on an endless ballscrew, assisted by two slide rails. The oven moves in front of the selected tray. In the refrigerated enclosure, trays are stacked on shelves with slide rails, and an endless screw slides a camshaft provided with snugs so that it triggers the tray-moving mechanism, and a detector determines which snug corresponds to the selected tray. Once the snug is engaged in the mechanism the camshaft rotates from left to right and vice-versa to activate the mechanism's rocker bars which slide the tray into or out of the oven.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooking or refrigerating food which is capable of treating several products having different cooking or refrigerating times, wherein baskets containing these products can be separately introduced or removed. The apparatus includes a lower part in which the products are to be treated, and a hood covering the lower part. To allow introduction or removal of baskets, the hood may be raised and lowered by a mechanism. Robot arm secured below the hood slide on transverse endless screws and grasp baskets whose treatment is complete, while permitting other baskets to remain for treatment.

Abstract: Universal cooking unit wherein products to be cooked are introduced into a cooking or baking chamber by a drawer. The drawer includes joints to tightly seal the cooking chamber, which can be placed under vacuum, thereby permitting cooking at low temperature. A heating chamber, tightly separated from the cooking chamber, raises the temperature of the liquids, such as oil or water, for cooking the product in the cooking chamber. These liquids are heated by a preferential route fitted with electrical resistors, and are then propelled by a pump through a network of pipes, to the cooking chamber, and sprayed or vaporized on the food. The liquids are then collected on an inclined plane which recycles them to the heating chamber through filters to regenerate and reheat them by the preferential route in order to restart the cooking cycle. To change the cooking mode, a valve is closed and the oil in the container is conveyed by the pump to a reservoir for storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for reheating meal trays standing by in a refrigerated housing to permit individual heating of the trays. The apparatus includes a heating support receiving the trays of which an area remains always cold and of which an area is intended to reheat a plate contained in the tray. This heating support includes electric resistance elements which are covered with a horizontal insulating heat barrier. By introducing the tray, the thermal barrier is pushed by a buffer, which thermal barrier is retracted in the heating support by compression of springs which, after removal of the tray, expand and reposition the thermal barrier to cover the electrical resistance elements, thereby avoiding residual calories heating the plate to effect the refrigerated atmosphere of the housing. This residual heat is evacuated outside the housing through a vent which was covered by a protrusion on the heat barrier obstructing the vent while the barrier was pushed by the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing foods for predeterminable period of time. One embodiment of the apparatus is for cooking; another is for refrigeration. The apparatus includes either a cooking container or a refrigeration container, a conveyor for carrying food products to and from this container, and a robot assembly for removing food products from the conveyor, inserting them into the container, extracting them from the container after the predetermined cooking or refrigeration period, and returning them to the conveyor. The robot assembly is programmable to extract and return these food products after cooking or refrigeration for a predeterminable period of time.