Abstract: Agitators having processing grates intended to mix and process food or other materials in a kettle either with or without heating of the materials, the mixing structures of the invention being particularly useful in the processing of food such as mashed potatoes to produce a product which has naturally-occurring "lumps" indicative of the use of real potatoes in the production of the product. The processing grates of the invention are preferably employed with horizontally disposed rotary shaft agitators operable within a kettle having a substantially hemispherical bottom portion, inner walls of the kettle being preferably scraped by scraping elements of the agitators to prevent burn-on of food materials during a mixing and/or cooking process. The processing grates of the invention can also function mounted to diagonally disposed rotary shaft agitators, the processing grates acting to reduce a food material such as potatoes to a homemade "lumpy" consistency.

Abstract: A shaft toe mount intended for inclined or vertical agitators such as are used for the processing of materials including food materials in a kettle, the present toe mount provides a bearing surface for that end of a rotary shaft of the agitator which extends into the interior of the kettle. Agitators advantageously mounted by the shaft toe mount of the invention include mixing structures capable of stirring or mixing operations within a kettle and particularly when inner walls of the kettle are to be scraped to prevent material adhesion or "burn-on" such as occurs when food materials are heated and/or cooked within a kettle. The present shaft toe mount is configured to allow rapid removal from the kettle so that the mount as well as the kettle and agitator can be cleaned daily according to accepted standards of cleanliness.

Abstract: A bearing mount particularly useful for mounting a non-driven end of a rotary shaft of an inclined or vertical agitator used for the processing of materials such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs and the like in kettles wherein such materials are mixed or stirred either with or without scraping of inner wall surfaces of the kettles, the present bearing mount provides a bearing surface for the distal end of the rotary shaft of the agitator which extends into the interior of the kettle toward inner walls of the kettle and which said distal end requires a bearing mount to hold the end of the shaft in a desired spaced relation from the wall of the kettle. The bearing mount of the invention comprises an idler bushing mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the idler bushing having bearing surfaces which are complementary with bearing surfaces provided by an idler pin removably mounted to an idler base fixed to the inner wall of the kettle.

Abstract: An idler bearing mount useful for mounting a rotary shaft of a horizontal agitator or the like within a kettle or similar container within which materials being processed are stirred or mixed, the invention includes a replaceable idler pin and bushing, thereby allowing replacement of said idler pin and/or bushing in the event of excessive wear or damage to the pin or bushing. The structure of the present idler bearing mount is rapidly disassembled for cleaning according to sanitary standards and can be thoroughly cleaned even though a portion of the structure is mounted directly to an inner wall portion of the kettle.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting scraper elements to portions of a mixing agitator such as an agitator intended to mix foods or other materials in a kettle either with or without heating of the materials, the mounting arrangement holds the scraper elements in scraping relation to interior walls of the kettle and biases the scraper elements against the kettle walls so that materials being mixed in the kettle are prevented from adhering to interior surfaces of the kettle. The mounting arrangement includes structure integral with the scraper element as well as structure mounted directly to the agitator and connecting to the scraper element for holding the scraper element in a desired location relative to the agitator and thus relative to the kettle walls. Further, the mounting arrangement includes a spring structure for resiliently biasing the scraper element against the kettle walls so that scraping contact is maintained on rotation of the agitator within the kettle.

Abstract: An agitator for mixing food or other materials in a kettle either with or without heating of the materials, the invention allows gentle and thorough mixing of materials ranging from liquids to semi-solids. The present agitator is especially usefual, for mixing and blending of substantially liquid mixtures having suspended solids, the solids being uniformly suspended within the mixture without damage to the solids. The agitator preferably takes the form of a rotary shaft horizontally disposed within a kettle having a substantially hemispherical bottom portion, each end of the shaft having a substantially arcuate element of particular contour attached thereto. The arcuate elements lie in planes which are perpendicular to each other and are the same general shape.

Abstract: A sanitary seal assembly useful for sealing a rotary through-wall shaft in both static and rotary modes, the invention provides a sealing structure capable of being fitted to external wall surfaces of a cooking kettle or the like for rapid manual assembly and disassembly for cleaning according to sanitation standards. The sealing assembly includes a seal retainer having static and rotary sealing elements, the seal retainer being held in place by compression forces exerted by a pivotable seal compression element. The seal compression element is pivotable at one end to release pressure on the seal retainer to allow removal of the retainer for cleaning of the seal assembly.

Abstract: An agitator for mixing food or other materials in a kettle either with or without heating of the materials, the invention allows gentle and thorough mixing of materials ranging from liquids to semi-solids. The present agitator is especially useful for mixing and blending of substantially liquid mixtures having suspended solids, the solids being uniformly suspended within the mixture without damage to the solids. The agitator preferably takes the form of a rotary shaft horizontally disposed within a kettle having a substantially hemispherical bottom portion, each end of the shaft having a substantially arcuate element of particular contour attached thereto. The arcuate elements lie in planes which are perpendicular to each other and are the same general shape.

Abstract: A latching mechanism and pressure-operated safety lock for a pressure vessel such as a pressure frier, the invention comprises an interlock system which includes a safety lock and cooperating latching mechanism which prevents opening of the pressure vessel while potentially hazardous pressure levels exist within the vessel. The latching mechanism of the interlock system includes structure which facilitates the tightening of a lid of the pressure frier both before introduction of pressure into the vessel and during the existence of pressure conditions within the vessel. The lid is tightened over the pressure frier by means of a slotted sleeve disposed on the latching mechanism which cooperates with a pin of the safety lock to allow rotation of the latching mechanism to tighten the lid while maintaining positive engagement of the safety lock to prevent opening of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A mixing agitator for use in a kettle wherein food is mixed either with or without cooking of the food, the invention allows gentle mixing of substantially liquid mixtures to suspend solids uniformly therein without damage to the solids. The agitator preferably takes the form of a rotary shaft horizontally disposed within a kettle having a substantially hemispherical bottom portion, the shaft having contoured blade-like elements attached thereto which act on rotation of the shaft to lift material from the bottom of the kettle to the top of the body of the food and thus produce a uniform dispersion of liquid and solid materials during a cooking/mixing processing phase, a mixing only phase, or a subsequent phase of dispensing the uniformly mixed material from the kettle.