Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes a center body that extends from an upstream end to a downstream end. A nozzle tip, which is fixedly coupled to the downstream end of the center body, includes an outer annular wall that has a forward end and an aft end. A solid aft wall is disposed at the aft end of the outer annular wall. The solid aft wall and the outer annular wall at least partially define a plenum. A nozzle portion, which is disposed within the plenum, includes an inner annular wall and an impingement wall. The impingement wall is spaced apart from the solid aft wall and defines a plurality of apertures configured to direct fluid to impinge upon the solid aft wall. A plurality of outlets is defined in the outer annular wall forward of the solid aft wall to direct post-impingement fluid from the nozzle tip.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having radiant burners and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a kettle assembly having a heating plate that separates an upper portion from a lower portion. The heating plate can include a coated lower surface to absorb radiant heat, and the kettle assembly can be supported by a base having a gas-fired radiant burner. The radiant burner can include a heating element positioned to direct radiant heat toward the heating plate. In several embodiments, the heating element includes an opening extending therethrough, and a coupler can extend through the opening to connect a motor in the base with a mixer in the upper portion of the kettle assembly.

Abstract: A pourable cooking receptacle construction (10) that includes an open framework member (20) having a base (21) and a pair of support arms (24) wherein, each support arm is provided with a mounting post (40) and a cooking pot member (30) having a pair of cylindrical collar members (50) connected on opposite sides of the cooking pot member (30) by axle elements (51) wherein, the collar members (50) are further provided with locking levers (54) that engage the mounting posts (40) so that the cooking pot member (30) can be raised and lowered relative to the mounting posts (40) and pivoted about the axle elements (51).

Abstract: An adjustment device, particularly for adjusting the levelness of a surface or of an electric appliance, such as for example a set of burners of a cooker for watercraft, comprising two side panels provided with two pivots for pivoting to a fixed support. The pair of pivots is slidingly located in a longitudinal seat and interacts with means for varying the position of the pivots which can be activated by the user.

Abstract: A fluid heater system with tiltable heater assembly for facilitating the performance of maintenance on the heater assembly. The fluid heater system with tiltable heater assembly includes a support frame and a heater assembly mounted on the support frame. The heater assembly comprises a combustion chamber and a burner apparatus for burning fuel in the combustion chamber. The heater assembly is pivotally mounted on the support frame for permitting pivoting of the heater assembly in a substantially vertical plane with respect to the support frame such that the heater assembly is pivotable between an operational position and a maintenance position. The operational position is characterized by a central axis of the combustion chamber being oriented in a substantially vertical direction and the maintenance position is characterized by the central axis being rotated from the substantially vertical direction toward a generally horizontal direction.

Abstract: A spiral fluid heater coil system for facilitating drainage of fluid from the heater and increasing the efficiency of transferring heat to a fluid. The spiral fluid heater coil system includes a heater assembly including a combustion chamber having a chamber perimeter wall defining a chamber interior. The chamber perimeter wall has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end of the chamber perimeter wall defining an opening into the chamber interior. The heater assembly includes a burner apparatus for burning fuel and expelling heat into the chamber interior of the combustion chamber, with the burner apparatus being positioned adjacent the lower end of the chamber perimeter wall for directing heat upwardly in the chamber interior toward the upper end of the chamber perimeter wall. The heating assembly includes a heating conduit for moving fluid through the heater housing to heat the fluid.

Abstract: A work station has a cooking kettle mounted for movement between an upright cooking position and a tilted pouring position. The work station includes a support structure defining a work surface above which the cooking kettle is mounted. A splash guard is mounted on the support structure for movement between a first position whereat the splash guard forms a portion of the work surface and a second position whereat the splash guard forms a barrier against splashing substances poured from the kettle when in its pouring position.

Abstract: A cooking vessel includes a kettle partially surrounded by a vapour jacket. An evaporator for containing fluid is mounted to the kettle and includes a tubular portion and is in fluid communication with the jacket to act as a vapour source for the jacket and to receive condensed fluid from the jacket. A burner is mounted to the kettle and located within the tubular portion of the evaporator.

Abstract: A steam kettle adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation between a vertically upright position and a tilted position comprising a support; a kettle having an open top; a stationary trunnion housing connected to said support; a trunnion shaft received within said trunnion housing and arranged for rotation about a horizontal axis whereby said kettle is solely supported by said trunnion shaft adapted for rotation about said horizontal axis between said vertical upright position and said tilted position; and securing structure adapted to receive releasable retaining structure for releasably retaining said trunnion shaft with said cylindrical hole of said trunnion housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vapor-jacketed cooking kettle having a compact, self-contained, gas-fired combustion system. The tiltable kettle includes a gas-fired cylindrical power burner which fires radially into a combustion chamber below a jet plate which in turn is closely spaced below the bottom wall of a water-containing jacket. Hot combustion gases produced by the burner heat and jet plate to temperatures at which it radiates large amounts of heat to the jacket wall. The hot gases also pass through holes in the plate to form high velocity jets which impinge on the jacket wall and transfer heat by convection. Heat transferred by the jet impingement and radiation vaporizes water in the jacket and the resulting steam cooks food products in the kettle. Thermal efficiencies of 70 percent or higher are achieved by the tilting kettle system.

Abstract: A heating device comprising, as portions, a heater and a dolly of which a tilt frame of the dolly is attached to, or fixed integrally with, the housing of the heater with such adjustability with respect to a base of the dolly to afford universality of position of the heater when taking into account the orientability of the device as a whole. The scope of positioning of the device is greatly amplified by use of a handle strut fixed to the tilt frame.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for bending plastic pipe so that it can be molded to a desired configuration. The disclosed apparatus includes a generally cylindrical container which is open at one end and contains a heat transfer medium, preferably in liquid form, in which the plastic pipe can be submerged. The container is mounted at an acute angle with respect to horizontal so that one end of a pipe can be inserted into the open end thereof. A heating unit maintains the heat transfer medium within the container at a regulated temperature which is within the temperature range for heating plastic pipe sufficiently to permit it to be molded. The container and heating unit are mounted on a carriage for providing portability to the apparatus.