Abstract: A convection oven with laminar airflow and/or moisture injection. A radial airflow fan is used to provide a circulating airflow that is substantially even and substantially turbulence free. The circulating airflow is provided to an oven chamber via a plurality of egress ports that rim a divider wall disposed between the oven chamber and a fan chamber. The airflow interleaves with a plurality of pans in the oven chamber to provide a laminar airflow. Moisture is injected into the circulating airflow either upstream of the fan or by flashing water onto the hot blades of the fan from either the low pressure side or the high pressure side of the fan.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.

Abstract: A window storm shield and guard assembly installable to fit within the jamb of a building window, or to fit onto the face of the building surrounding the jamb, the assembly, functioning both as a storm barrier to protect the window from strong winds and wind-borne debris, and as a security barrier to deter an intruder from entering the building through the window. The main components of the assembly are a main frame defining a rectangular socket, and a barrier frame which is normally nested in the socket and supports a perforated metal barrier panel that reduces but does not block the passage of light and the flow of air through the panel. The barrier frame is hinged at its upper end to the corresponding end of the main frame, and at its lower end, the barrier frame is latched internally to the corresponding end of the main frame. In the closed mode of the assembly in which the barrier frame is nested in the main frame and is latched thereto, the window is then fully protected.