Abstract: Process of producing pieces of eggs which comprises mixing eggs to obtain a blend of egg whites and egg yolks, separately establishing a first flow of the blend and a second flow of steam under pressure, contacting the first and second flows to produce a burst of the blend of eggs and to initiate a preliminary cooking of the eggs, introducing the eggs resulting from the proceeding step into a container, allowing the eggs to remain in the container until cooking is completed and a solid mass of cooked eggs is obtained, and disintegrating the solid mass into small pieces.

Abstract: An article of food is heated in an oven in which air is circulated. Moisture in the form of steam or a water spray is added to the air as it circulated several times during the cooking or thawing cycle according to a program. Each moisture dose and the length of the interval between doses is controlled independently according to the treatment desired. The first dose is made after the cooking cycle is started, and the dosing time is usually a fraction of the time between doses.

Abstract: A method of making confectioneries, particularly hard and soft caramel and jelly and gum products, by combining regulated quantities of the ingredients and mixing. During the mixing operation, steam is admitted into the mass of ingredients so as to directly heat the same for cooking of the ingredients. The mixing operation is carried out with rotary elements which rotate at speeds between 1500 and 3000 revolutions per minute.

Abstract: A convection steamer apparatus and method having improved heat-transfer characteristics for rapidly and effectively processing food items or the like at atmospheric pressure and at a relatively low constant steam temperature comprising a steam generator and distribution system for delivering steam in a turbulent controlled path to a heating chamber. A diffuser device acts to introduce substantially dry steam into the distribution system and a pressure differential generator device communicates with the chamber for continuously inducing a pressure differential to continuously purge air and/or unused steam from said chamber to maintain turbulent, generally orbital flow of dry steam in heat-transfer relation around the food items to be processed.The invention further contemplates an improved construction for an atmospheric closure for fluid and heat sealing of the heating chamber during the processing of such food items or the like.

Abstract: A food processing system wherein food is successively treated by washing, blanching, and is thereafter canned and the cans are subjected to retorting, wherein the water, fuel and electrical energy utilized are conserved by efficient utilization thereof.

Abstract: Pork trimmings are continuously agitated in a vacuum while they are being subdivided into a mass of chunks into which saturated steam is thereupon admitted to cook them. While continuing the agitation, the cooking action is terminated when the temperature of the mass reaches about 125.degree.C, and thereupon the mass is cooled to about 60.degree.-95.degree.C and is comminuted and emulsified under continuing agitation. Liver pieces and binder material are then added to the agitated mass and comminution continues to comminute the liver pieces while cooling the resulting mixture to about 40.degree.-80.degree.C and admitting liquid spices into it to obtain a spiced product.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking fruit and the like products includes a tank or cooking chamber disposed for receiving a quantity of such products and a quantity of water sufficient to cover the products therein and sufficient enough to create the necessary back pressure for a hydraulic head and sufficient enough to provide an adequate medium for agitation. Steam is supplied to the lower portion of the tank to raise the temperature of the water to a cooking temperature of the products submerged therein, which temperature may be the boiling point of water. Steam or moisture laden vapor which escapes to an upper surface of the body of water is recirculated under pressure to a lower portion of the tank, such that it will be redirected into the cooking area. Such recirculation is performed by a conduit and a blower or pump mounted in the path of the conduit. The conduit has an inlet above the level of the water in the tank and an outlet below the level of the water adjacent a bottom wall of the tank.