Abstract: An improved pumping device for delicate or easily damaged products is provided with a hopper, or other system for holding the products, and at least one, and preferably two, synchronized piston pumps positioned proximate to the bottom of the hopper. The piston pumps displace the product from the interior of the hopper into a consolidating feed manifold where the product is then dispensed through a discharge conduit into suitable receptacles. Each of the piston pumps preferably includes a pump cylinder with a fixed, elongated, cylindrical sleeve housing and an elongated rotatable cylindrical sleeve positioned within the sleeve housing, both enclosing a piston chamber. A first longitudinal opening or access port is formed in the fixed sleeve housing and a corresponding second longitudinal opening or access portion is formed in the rotatable sleeve.

Abstract: A compact two-sided cooking device is disclosed for use with an existing grill to permit two-sided cooking of food products, such as hamburger patties, on a relatively limited basis. The device includes a cooking assembly having an electrically-powered cooking platen which can be selectively positioned on food products on the grill for effecting accelerated two-sided cooking thereof. The present cooking device has been particularly configured for use in conjunction with, and for rocking movement on, a commercially-sized restaurant grill, and provides greatly reduced cooking times so that a customer's order can be freshly and efficiently prepared even during relatively slow business hours.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interleaving frozen food patties with sheets of protective material (e.g., paper), in which at least a spot of an edible "adhesive" material adheres each protective sheet to a patty. In one embodiment, a spot of a true adhesive (e.g., honey, sugar solution, etc.) is applied to a protective sheet that is subsequently moved into engagement with a frozen food patty. In another embodiment, at least a spot of an edible heat-activated adhesive material at the interface between a protective sheet and a frozen patty is activated by heat applied through the protective sheet. In this instance, the adhesive may be a separate material which is applied to either the protective sheet or the food patty; on the other hand, the adhesive may comprise moisture in the surface portion of the patty.