Abstract: A cooking device includes a cooking vessel, means for heating the contents of the cooking vessel, control means for controlling the temperature and viscosity of the contents of the cooking vessel, and an auger for stirring and dispensing the contents of the cooking vessel. The auger rotates in a first direction to mix the contents of the cooking vessel. When the food product is being dispensed, the auger reverses direction to push the food contents through the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing die-cut brick is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cutter box in combination with a pusher which pushes elongated green clay slugs through the box. The box operates to cut a core extending lengthwise of the slug having the cross section of the desired brick. Guide means retain scrap completely around the core as it emerges from the die box and is moved in a stepwise fashion by the pusher to a cutoff device which cuts brick slices from the core. Because scrap is retained around the core, little or no distortion occurs during such slicing operation. The apparatus is arranged for quick and easy conversion from one shape to another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing special brick shapes such as corner brick and arch brick is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, selected slugs are pushed from an off-bearing belt under surface treatment means to an elevator. A cutter box or frame is located above the elevator. Such frame includes cutter means to cut the slugs into a desired shape and surface treatment means for treating the side edges of the slugs. The elevator raises the slugs up through the cutter frame to a position in alignment with the discharge platform. A single pusher assembly operates to push the slugs from the off-bearing belt to the elevator at one elevation and to push the cut slugs from the elevator onto the discharge platform at another elevation. The apparatus operates in conjunction with a conventional setting machine without interfering with the operation thereof.