Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of restricting entry velocity into a tank is provided. To this end, a throttle plate is utilized to reduce circulation turbulence and significantly reduce the probability of damage to fragile articles undergoing deglazing, defrosting, washing or other circulation within a fluid tank. The throttle plate includes a main body with a top, bottom, and opposing sides and is configured to interface with a wash tank in a variety of throttle plate conditions. The main body of the throttle plate sits substantially against an interior wall of the wash tank, partially obscuring one or more inward flowing jets associated with the wash tank. Such obscuring dampens or throttles the flow of water from the jets into the wash tank. The throttle plate is adjustable; thus, a user of the wash tank can utilize the throttle plate to selectively control the flow of water into the tank.

Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.

Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.

Abstract: A basket assembly is provided. The basket assembly includes a molded basket body having opposed side walls with minimal draft angles. The basket body defines a front opening for receiving fluid and items, an interior area of receiving and holding the items, and a plurality of perforations for allowing the fluid to escape the interior area while retaining the items within the interior area. The perforations are placed, oriented, sized, and configured to maximize fluid flow and item retention while the basket assembly is positioned in flowing fluid of a washing machine wash tank. Support pins retain the basket assembly at the top of the wash tank and handles extending therebetween facilitate removal of the basket assembly from the wash tank.

Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of restricting entry velocity into a tank is provided. To this end, a throttle plate is utilized to reduce circulation turbulence and significantly reduce the probability of damage to fragile articles undergoing deglazing, defrosting, washing or other circulation within a fluid tank. The throttle plate includes a main body with a top, bottom, and opposing sides and is configured to interface with a wash tank in a variety of throttle plate conditions. The main body of the throttle plate sits substantially against an interior wall of the wash tank, partially obscuring one or more inward flowing jets associated with the wash tank. Such obscuring dampens or throttles the flow of water from the jets into the wash tank. The throttle plate is adjustable; thus, a user of the wash tank can utilize the throttle plate to selectively control the flow of water into the tank.

Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved food preparation table. Cooled air is passed over the top of each food pan individually, preventing the food from spoiling at high ambient temperatures. The sides of the food pans are also cooled at the same time.

Abstract: A pan guide for use in a food storage apparatus is provided. The pan guide has at least two levels for supporting food storage pans. The levels can be removable. This allows for easy movement of the food pans, to accommodate for temperature changes in the vicinity of the food storage apparatus. Dividers for separating the food pans are also provided, which can connect to the pan guide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved food preparation table. Cooled air is passed over the top of each food pan individually, preventing the food from spoiling at high ambient temperatures. The sides of the food pans are also cooled at the same time.

Abstract: A pan guide for use in a food storage apparatus is provided. The pan guide has at least two levels for supporting food storage pans. The levels can be removable. This allows for easy movement of the food pans, to accommodate for temperature changes in the vicinity of the food storage apparatus. Dividers for separating the food pans are also provided, which can connect to the pan guide.

Abstract: A door latch system is positioned within a slidable door system. The slidable door system includes at least one track and a door positioned within the track. The door latch system includes an engagement member and a spring form mountable within the slidable door system. The spring form is movable between a relaxed position and an actuated position and is configured to be out of a path of the engagement member when the spring form is in the relaxed position and to be engagable with the engagement member when the spring form is in the actuated position. One of the engagement member and the spring form is mounted to the door and the other is mounted to the track.

Abstract: A relief port (10) includes a housing (20) adapted to mount in a wall (12) of an enclosure to provide flow passage through the wall between a first environment within the enclosure and a second environment external of the enclosure, and a valve assembly (50) associated with the housing. The valve assembly (50) has a base member (30) that extends across the flow passage and a valve member operatively associated with the base member. At least one flow port (35) is provided in the base member. The valve member has a resilient valve cover (52) and a valve stem (54) that mounts to the base member (30). The resilient valve cover (52) is responsive to a pressure differential between the first environment and the second environment acting across the valve cover. The resilient valve cover (52) closes the flow port to flow through the at least one flow port (35) whenever the pressure within the first environment is equal to or above the pressure within the second environment.

Abstract: A forced air cooler (10) includes a cabinet (20) defining a lower chamber (30) wherein product is stored and an upper chamber (40) housing a pair of fans (62) and (64) positioned intermediate spaced evaporators (52) and (54). A support grate (90) disposed on the floor of the cabinet (20) supports the product off the floor and includes integral side fences (94) and (96) which serve to space the product away from the side walls (26) and (28) of the cabinet. The fans (62) and (64) draw air through the evaporators (52) and (54), respectively, and direct the cooing air through the openings provided by the slots (68) in the diffuser plate (66) to provide a uniformly distributed flow of cooling air, at its coolest condition, downwardly into the lower chamber (30) to pass over the product stored therein.

Abstract: A forced air cooler (10) includes a cabinet (20) defining a lower chamber (30) wherein product is stored and an upper chamber (40) housing a pair of fans (62) and (64) positioned intermediate spaced evaporators (52) and (54). A support grate (90) disposed on the floor of the cabinet (20) supports the product off the floor and includes integral side fences (94) and (96) which serve to space the product away from the side walls (26) and (28) of the cabinet. The fans (62) and (64) draw air through the evaporators (52) and (54), respectively, and direct the cooing air through the openings provided by the slots (68) in the diffuser plate (66) to provide a uniformly distributed flow of cooling air, at its coolest condition, downwardly into the lower chamber (30) to pass over the product stored therein.

Abstract: A forced air cooler (10) includes a cabinet (20) defining a lower chamber (30) wherein product is stored and an upper chamber (40) housing a pair of fans (62) and (64) positioned intermediate spaced evaporators (52) and (54). A wire rack (90) disposed on the floor of the cabinet (20) supports the product off the floor and includes integral side fences (94) and (96) which serve to space the product away from the side walls (26) and (28) of the cabinet. The fans (62) and (64) draw air through the evaporators (52) and (54), respectively, and direct the cooing air through the openings provided by the slots (68) in the diffuser plate (66) to provide a uniformly distributed flow of cooling air, at its coolest condition, downwardly into the lower chamber (30) to pass over the product stored therein.