Abstract: A process for producing an aged beverage, preferably a distilled spirit that is aged in contact with wood, in which raw or partially aged beverage is processed in a closed system with controlled heat and oxygen levels, and in contact with a beverage aging wood product. In certain embodiments ethyl acetate is added to the raw beverage prior to the aging process.

Abstract: A process for producing an aged beverage, preferably a distilled spirit that is aged in contact with wood, in which raw or partially aged beverage is processed in a closed system with controlled heat and oxygen levels, and in contact with a beverage aging wood product. In certain embodiments ethyl acetate is added to the raw beverage prior to the aging process.

Abstract: A process for producing an aged beverage, preferably a distilled spirit that is aged in contact with wood, in which raw or partially aged beverage is processed in a closed system with controlled heat and oxygen levels, and in contact with a beverage aging wood product. In certain embodiments ethyl acetate is added to the raw beverage prior to the aging process.

Abstract: A web treatment system includes main housing structure, chamber structure in the main housing structure that defines a thermally insulated web treatment zone, and structure that defines a web inlet at one end of the web treatment zone and a web outlet at the opposite end of the web treatment zone, so that a web path through the web treatment zone between the web inlet and the web outlet is defined. A series of elongated gas distributing nozzle bar structures are supported in the upper region of the web treatment zone above and along the length of the web path. Each gas distribution nozzle bar structure has opposed end walls and elongated lower wall structure extending between the end walls across the width of the web treatment zone, an inlet port in one end wall and outlet port structure in the lower wall extending along the length of the gas distribution nozzle bar for directing flow of gas from the supply plenum downwardly toward the web path.

Abstract: Apparatus for roasting small quantities of coffee (typically less than five pounds) includes a roasting chamber with base and cylindrical wall portions in fixed relation to each other. Disposed coaxially within the chamber is a downwardly extending tube that has an outlet orifice spaced from the base surface, and an exhaust outlet is in the upper portion of the chamber. A stream of hot roasting gas flowed downwardly through the central tube at high velocity for impact on the base surface and deflection radially outwardly and then flow upwardly through the exhaust outlet at the top of the chamber produces a toroidal circulation pattern of fluidized coffee beans with rapid and uniform roasting of the green coffee, in a simple and compact arrangement in which roasting parameters (such as fluid temperature and cycle duration) may be easily adjusted depending on the degree of roast desired.

Abstract: A product conveyor that has a predominately open area transports food substances such as pizzas and the like to be cooked through a thermally insulated treatment zone. An array of nozzles disposed below the conveyor across the width and along the length of the treatment zone discharges streams of heated air upwardly through the conveyor against the bottom surfaces of the food products on the conveyor for primary heat exchange treatment. A reflection surface forms an upper boundary of the treatment zone, and the portion of the upwardly flowing air streams that is not deflected by the food products on the conveyor impinges against the deflection surface and is transformed into downward flowing relatively low velocity air for flow against and across the top surfaces of the food products. After those heat exchange interactions the air is drawn downwardly between the nozzles for exhaust at a point located below the conveyor.

Abstract: A product conveyor that has a predominately open area transports food substances such as pizzas and the like to be cooked through a thermally insulated treatment zone. An array of nozzles disposed below the conveyor across the width and along the length of the treatment zone discharges streams of heated air upwardly through the conveyor against the bottom surfaces of the food products on the conveyor for primary heat exchange treatment. A reflection surface forms an upper boundary of the treatment zone, and the portion of the upwardly flowing air streams that is not deflected by the food products on the conveyor impinges against the deflection surface and is transformed into downward flowing relatively low velocity air for flow against and across the top surfaces of the food products. After those heat exchange interactions the air is drawn downwardly between the nozzles for exhaust at a point located below the conveyor.

Abstract: Material to be treated is transported through a treatment zone bounded by a foraminous member that separates the treatment zone from an immediately adjacent zone of high density vapor. The vapor is flowed through the foraminous member and directly into the material at a continuous rate and with a major portion of the vapor flowed from the vapor zone being entrained by the material in the treatment zone. The continuous moderate flow of vapor into the bed of material produces rapid vapor transfer and with excellent distribution of the vapor within the material being treated.

Abstract: Improved material treatment apparatus includes an array of nozzles extending downwardly towards pan structure arranged for the substantially horizontal conveyance of solid particulate material. Gas is flowed through the nozzles at high velocity in an array of directed downwardly gas jets. The pan structure is gas impervious and impinging gas is deflected outwardly and upwardly through the bed of particles in fluidizing action and then exhausted at low velocity such that there is no significant particle entrainment in the exhaust gas stream. The angle of gas jets to the pan structure is at a small offset from the normal to the pan structure (less than ten degrees) and the small but effective resultant horizontal component of gas velocity is effective to modify the rate of movement of the particulate material through the treatment zone while maintaining the gas jet particle fluidization and treatment action in the treatment zone.

Abstract: Particulate treatment apparatus includes structure defining a particle treatment zone including a conveyor defining an imperforate lower particle treatment zone boundary. A chamber above the particle treatment zone receives a body of liquid, and means are provided for creating a zone of vapor within the chamber above the body of liquid. Nozzle tubes extend through the lower wall of the chamber and are disposed along the length and across the width of the treatment zone. The upper ends of the nozzle tubes extend above the level of liquid in the chamber while the lower ends of the tubes are disposed adjacent the imperforate transport surface of the conveyor. Vapor flows from the vapor zone through the tubes downwardly against the conveyor surface and fluidizes particles on the conveyor with concurrent vapor exchange so that the particulate material entrains a substantial amount of vapor as it is transported through the treatment zone.