Abstract: A flattening roller (38) is supported on horizontal guides (32, 34) and rolls alternately in opposite directions along the guides. A tray (30) is arranged horizontally between the guides, and is progressively lifted to approach to the cylindrical surface of the roller. The tray turns by a quarter turn around a vertical axis at the end of each stroke of the roller along the guides. A lump of dough placed on the tray is progressively flattened to a thin, round shape.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cooking appliance comprising a shell (4) and a control knob (7) mobile relative to the shell (4) which comprises a heating element and bears a removable hot plate fixed on the heating element by at least one means (1) and releasable by moving said means (1). The invention is characterised in that the appliance comprises a lever (8) forming a crank-shaft assembly pivoting about a pin (12) whereby it is fixed to the shell (4); one part of the lever (20) co-operates with the knob (7) and another part (19) drives the locking means (1) when the knob is stressed and acts on the lever (8).

Abstract: An appliance comprising a housing consisting of two articulated shells maintained spaced apart by a spring (4) two hot plates (5,6) arranged in the housing, locking elements for maintaining the housing closed countering the spring, elements for adjusting (12) cooking parameters, and elements for controlling the locking elements to urge them in unlocked position in accordance with cooking parameters, thereby controlling the opening of the housing under the effect of the spring (4). The locking elements include a locking component linked to one of the shells (1) so as to be mobile between an unlocked position wherein it co-operates with a locking finger (24) integral with the other shell (2), a spring for urging back the locking component in unlocked position, and a relay magnet (25) controlled by the control elements, for maintaining the locking component in locked position.

Abstract: A foldable conduction oven comprises by a pedestal, a framework, an ash-collecting box, a grill and a net. The pedestal comprises by two opposite outward plates and a chassis. The framework comprises by two opposite outward cover plates, two opposite inner cover plates, two opposite inner plates and a frame. When unfold the pedestal, the four locational holes on the two long sides of the chassis of the pedestal are against the four round prominent pellets on the four side edges of the two outward plates; then the two outward plates are able to be folded on the chassis. When unfold the framework, the four round prominent pellets on the two outward cover plates, the four round prominent pellets on the two inner cover plates and four prominent pellets on the two inner plates are connected with the twelve locational holes on the frame, then the two outward cover plates, the two inner cover plates and the two inner plates are able to be folded on the frame.

Abstract: A substantially horizontal, flat shovel (30), made of thin, perforated metal plate, is integral with a slide (28) which is slidable on a guide (26), itself integral with a mounting (18). The shovel is driven by an actuator (20, 22, 24, 32, 34, 36) for moving forward and backward, while staying tangent to a facing rest shelf, at either of two speeds, a slow speed and a fast speed. The mounting (18) can move to different positions facing respective processing stations (42, 44).

Abstract: A press for removing grease from cooked ground meat includes a main body provided with an upwardly opening cavity for receiving the cooked meat and a front spout, and a lid pivotally connected to the body and provided with a center pressing plate sized to fit into the cavity against the meat. The body and lid are further provided with complimentary left and right handles sized to be squeezed together with the user's left and right hands. Excess grease is pressed out of and removed from the meat by simultaneously squeezing the handles together and pouring the grease from the spout.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved flattening device for flattening pieces of meat so that said pieces of meat have a larger surface and a reduced thickness. The inventive device comprises a conveyor device (15, 31) on which the pieces of meat to be flattened are supplied to the flattening zone. In the area of the flattening zone mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) are provided that can be displaced relative to the piece of meat. The distance between the mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) that can be moved across the piece of meat to be flattened and a counter pressure device or surface (33) can be preferably reduced while the piece of meat is flattened.

Abstract: A press for removing grease from cooked ground meat includes a main body provided with an upwardly opening cavity for receiving the cooked meat and a front spout, and a lid pivotally connected to the body and provided with a center pressing plate sized to fit into the cavity against the meat. The body and lid are further provided with complimentary left and right handles sized to be squeezed together with the user's left and right hands. Excess grease is pressed out of and removed from the meat by simultaneously squeezing the handles together and pouring the grease from the spout.

Abstract: A pizza screen manufacturing apparatus (10) having a folder (24L), crimper (24R), and flattener (26) to manufacture a pizza screen from a single sheet of screening by double folding over the peripheral edge in order to produce a product that evenly distributes heat through out the bottom surface of a pizza for even cooking thereof.

Abstract: A griller includes upper and lower cooking grill members, and a temperature sensing device mounted removably on the housing of one of the grill members. The temperature sensing device includes a casing, a temperature sensing probe, a user input unit, a processor unit, a display unit, and an alarm unit. The temperature sensing probe generates a sensor output corresponding to a cooking temperature detected thereby. The user input unit is operable so as to provide a cooking time setting. The processor unit receives the sensor output and the cooking time setting, and is operable in a timer mode, wherein the processor unit generates an alarm activate signal for activating the alarm unit upon detection by the processor unit that a predetermined time period corresponding to the cooking time setting has elapsed.

Abstract: The machine comprises a pair of risers (12) and a head (13) comprising a plurality of operating roller units (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) with roller supported on the top and between said risers. According to the invention, said machine comprises a cover (14) pivotally mounted by means of a pin (14.1) with respect to said risers (12) and over said head (13) so to at least cover the gap on the top and on the front between the risers (12), in which said operating units are arranged, in its closed position. Cam means (16, 16.1) are functionally associated to said cover (14) and cam tracker means (17, 17.1) are functionally associated to a micro switch (18).

Abstract: A flattening roller (38) is supported on horizontal guides (32, 34) and rolls alternately in opposite directions along the guides. A tray (30) is arranged horizontally between the guides, and is progressively lifted to approach to the cylindrical surface of the roller. The tray turns by a quarter turn around a vertical axis at the end of each stroke of the roller along the guides. A lump of dough placed on the tray is progressively flattened to a thin, round shape.

Abstract: An oat crimping device which is characterized by a housing fitted with a feed barrel and including a hopper located inside the housing for receiving raw oats to be crimped or processed. A pair of rotating, knurled drums are provided in the hopper and raw oats are fed from the feed barrel through top slots or openings in a feed auger tube to a rotating feed auger inside the feed auger tube, which feed auger distributes the raw oats through bottom slots in the feed auger tube, to the rotating drums for dispensing through the lower portion of the hopper into a collection container. Manual adjustment of the raw oat feed stream is accomplished by rotation of the feed auger tube to adjust the slots for dispensing the raw oats from the feed barrel to the feed auger crimping rollers.

Abstract: A cooking device comprises two L-shaped supports, a lower cooking plate on the supports, an upper cooking plate matingly engaged with the lower plate and including a hollow protrusion at either side, a handle pivotably secured to the supports and including two first side slots, two sliding members inserted through the first slots and the protrusions for pivotably securing the upper plate to the handle and being adjustable for taking account of variations in thickness of steaks, and a second side slot adjacent one first slot, and a fastening mechanism secured to the handle. The device further guides oil drops formed by the thoroughly cooked steaks to flow from the pivoted, slanted upper plate to the lower plate, and is capable of standing upright for saving storage.

Abstract: The electrically-powered cooker has a base that pivotally supports a clam shell-type cooking unit having two independently pivotal cooking halves, each half being provided with its own hot plate. One or more dished recesses are provided in the bottom half of the unit, while a matching set of slightly raised bosses are provided on the top half. Each cooking half has its own separate electrically energized heating element to raise the temperature of the corresponding hot plate to the desired level. In use, the cooking unit is initially opened with the two halves laid open on opposite sides of the base and with the hot plates facing upwardly. After batter is poured into the dished receptacles of the bottom half and allowed to cook, the top half is closed upon it and latched, whereupon the closed unit is flipped over onto the opposite side of the base to flip the pancakes contained therein.

Abstract: A cooking device comprises a lower cooking plate including a flat top area, parallel, widthwise ribs on the top area, and pairs of arcuate, opposite projections on the top area; an upper cooking plate including a flat bottom area, parallel, widthwise ribs on the bottom area, and holes at the bottom area; and a temperature sensor including a circuit board in the upper plate, temperature sensing units disposed at the holes and being coupled to the circuit board, and an indicator lamp on the device. Foodstuffs placed in the pairs of arcuate, opposite projection are held in position by the ribs with the pointed ends of the sensing units inserted into the foodstuffs. Temperature of the foodstuffs is sensed by the sensing units. Further, the lamp is lit if the foodstuffs are thoroughly cooked.

Abstract: A barbecue grill with an adjustment device comprises a cover, a rack, a post, a tooth plate, an adjusting gear, a spring, a knob, a bolt and a nut, wherein the tooth plate has teeth along one inner side, and the knob comprises a threaded hole, the adjusting gear meshes with the teeth of the tooth plate, the bolt is inserted through the knob, the spring, the adjusting gear, the cover, and: is tightened by the nut from the other end. This secures the tooth plate to the cover while the post of the rack is placed in the tooth plate. When the knob is turned to loosen the adjusting gear, the adjusting gear is able to adjust with respect to the teeth of the tooth plate and the gap between the cover and the rack is adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved flattening device for flattening pieces of meat so that said pieces of meat have a larger surface and a reduced thickness. The inventive device comprises a conveyor device (15, 31) on which the pieces of meat to be flattened are supplied to the flattening zone. In the area of the flattening zone mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) are provided that can be displaced relative to the piece of meat. The distance between the mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) that can be moved across the piece of meat to be flattened and a counter pressure device or surface (33) can be preferably reduced while the piece of meat is flattened.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for cooking, cutting and preparing the doner meat automatically and without any human intervention in the same amount and form for service and an integrated instrument for cooking and cutting doner. This invention relates to a method for cooking the front sides of the meat boxes which are filled and frozen beforehand, by rotating said meat boxes around a center arranged circularly or with multi sides having 4, 5 or 7 cookers (radiant or LPG), cutting the cooked meat part and sending the cooked meat part for cooking again by rotating around itself and carrying out of these operations at a pre-determined amount and speed without human intervention controlled from a central command and turning table and a integrated doner cooking and cutting instrument for performing this method.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooking snack food pieces features a drum-type fryer which transports individual, die-cut piece preforms through hot oil contained within a cooking tank defined between the periphery of the drum and a housing in which the drum is contained. Vacuum transfer and feed rollers transfer the individual piece preforms from a die-cutting roller assembly onto the drum for cooking, and a similar roller transfers the cooked snack food pieces from the drum to a take-away conveyor for subsequent, downstream processing. The pieces are retained by suction against molding surfaces of frying mold elements distributed over the periphery of the frying drum.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for producing pizza by a mechanical, automated system without using baking tins for the dough bases and without using pre-prepared or pre-shaped bases. Dough bases are individually prepared from fresh pre-proportioned dough ingredients by a kneading and extrusion device. The dough base is then passed through a series of processing stations, such as a shaping press, a metering and distribution device for tomato purees or sauces, at least one metering and distribution station for garnishing (topping) ingredients and a baking station. The dough bases pass through the series of stations on a preheated or continuously heated transportation sheet. No pre-produced or pre-cooked, semi-finished products are used in the method. Each dough base is prepared and provided with toppings according to individual orders selected from a list.

Abstract: A cooking system and more specifically, a griddle type cooking system having a heating surface wherein a temperature of the griddle heating surface is substantially uniform across the entire surface is provided. This uniform surface temperature is maintained even when food products are placed on only a portion of the cooking surface. The cooking system minimizes overcooking of an outer surface of the food product in order to substantially reduce or eliminate the generation of mutagens or carcinogens while under cooking of the food product is likewise minimized thus eliminating harmful bacteria within the food product. The cooking system includes a sealed cooking medium chamber having a substantially planar top cooking surface, a bottom surface and side walls for housing a heating medium in the form of water.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously and evenly toasting articles of differing contours and dimensions arranged upon a heated griddle. A clamshell plate, positioned in stand-off relationship above said griddle-arranged articles, has a plurality of slideably moveable fingers or pins mounted therein which float, that is, are brought into contacting and resting relation with the upper surfaces of said articles to provide a gentle pressure thereon to urge the lower surfaces into more intimate contact with the griddle until the toasting process is completed, thereby accelerating the toasting process without undesirable side effects such as distortion of, and condensation on, the upper surfaces and caramelization of the lower surfaces of said articles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making pizza includes a housing and a plurality of canisters containing fresh dough stored in the housing. A cutting blade is disposed in the housing and is movable between an upper limit position and a lower limit position to cut a slice of dough from one of the plurality of canisters. A press plate is disposed in the housing and receives the slice of dough. The press plate includes a first plate and a second plate that selectively move into engagement with each other to define an internal chamber therebetween to press flat and preheat the slice of dough. A rotary index table station is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of plates, with each of the plates being rotatable about a central axis of the rotary index table station. Preheated pizza crust is deposited on the plates. Each of the plates is then movable between an innermost radial position and an outermost radial position.

Abstract: A hamburger patty making system including a housing having a central aperture extending therethrough. The housing has a channel extending inwardly thereof in communication with the central aperture. A press is coupled with respect to the housing. The press includes a handle portion having a first end and a second end. The first end is hingedly coupled with the housing. The press includes an upper container portion disposed over the central aperture of the housing in a lowered orientation. A lower container portion is removably received within the central aperture of the housing. The lower container portion includes a cup portion adapted for being seated within the central aperture. The cup portion has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The closed lower end has a central opening therethrough. A piston is removably coupled with respect to the lower container portion. The piston includes an upper circular plate. The plate is seated on the closed lower end of the cup portion.

Abstract: A grill device includes a connecting unit which pivotally connects upper and lower grill units.

Abstract: A grill device includes an upper grill unit pivoted to a lower grill unit so as to rotate about an axis between an open position, and a closed position, in which, the upper and lower grill units cooperatively define a cooking space therebetween. A seasoning supplying unit includes a vessel mounted in the cooking space to receive a body of seasonings in liquid form, and a thermal conductive dispenser. The thermal conductive dispenser is extendible into the vessel when the upper grill unit is positioned at the closed position, and defines a plurality of channels. Each of the channel has an inlet that is immersed in seasonings in the vessel, and an outlet that is exposed from the vessel when the upper grill unit is positioned at the closed position.

Abstract: A bottom pan having a flat interior bottom surface and a raised peripheral lip terminating in an upfacing lip edge receives a top pan having a flat exterior bottom surface and a side wall terminating in a shoulder. The top pan is removably engagable within the bottom pan such that the top pan shoulder rests upon the bottom pan peripheral lip establishing a fixed space between the interior bottom surface of the bottom pan and the exterior bottom surface of the top pan. A roller assembly is engaged with the top pan in rolling communication such that the roller is movable in controlled linear motion across an inner surface of the top pan to assure uniform and total compression of a soft foodstuff.

Abstract: A flat bread and tortilla warmer in which a pair of spring biased rollers are rotatably mounted in a housing. Roller heating elements in the housing heat the rollers. The rollers pinch a flat bread in between for simultaneously heating the flat bread and moving it through a portion of the housing. A second set of spaced heating elements may be disposed below the roller heating elements for warming the flat bread after it passes through the rollers.

Abstract: There is provided a manually actuated press comprising a housing having a lower platen attached thereto. The lower platen defines a generally planar top surface. Moreover, at least one upper platen is in mechanical communication with the housing and defines a generally plated bottom surface. The at least one upper platen is translatable with respect to the lower platen in a manner forming a generally parallel relationship between the bottom and top surfaces when within a prescribed distance range therefrom. Further, the at least one upper platen is rotatable with respect to the lower platen when exceeding the prescribed distance range.

Abstract: A hands free tortilla forming machine for molding dough balls into a tortilla shell. The forming machine includes a forming portion, a linkage mechanism, a vertically extending hinge block, and a foot pedal which can be mounted to a moveable cart. The forming portion includes a base having an upwardly facing forming surface and a base having an downwardly facing forming surface. The vertically extending hinge block beings mounted relative to the base and having a first end facing the base and a second end opposite to the first end. The rear end of the push member includes a lever arm which protrudes from its rear end and which is pivotally interengaged with the hinge block at a hinge point. This provides for relative rotation of the push member relative to the base about a member axis between an access position and a formed position. The lever further includes a second pivot spaced from the first pivot which interengages with the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A grill device includes a U-shaped frame that is pivoted to a lower grill unit and that has two lateral arms. An upper grill unit is disposed between and is pivoted to the lateral arms by two first pivots. A space adjusting unit includes second, third and fourth pivots, and pivotally connected first and second links. The first link is pivoted to the upper grill unit via the second pivot which is disposed frontwardly of and which extends in a direction parallel to the first pivot. The second link is pivoted to the first link and one of the lateral arms via the third and fourth pivots, respectively, which extend in directions parallel to the first pivots.

Abstract: A grill device includes two independently controllable cooking sets confining two isolated cooking spaces such that two different meat pieces can be grilled therein under different cooking temperatures at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sandwich consisting of two toasted slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is essentially arranged in the inner region of the surfaces of the slices of bread and the slices of bread are pressed together in a peripheral edge area with greater force than in the inner region so that the slices of bread adhere to each other and form a cohesive sandwich arrangement, whereby the filling is packed between the slices of bread. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a toasted sandwich that consists of two slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is initially and essentially arranged in the inner region of the surface of a first underlying slice of bread. A second slice of bread is subsequently placed thereon.

Abstract: A grill device includes two independently controllable cooking sets confining two isolated cooking spaces such that two different meat pieces can be grilled therein under different cooking temperatures at the same time. Each of the cooking sets has a cooking plate provided with first and second grill ribs alternately disposed thereon. The first grill rib has a horizontal flat portion and a curved portion extending curvedly and downwardly from the flat portion. The second grill rib has a horizontal flat portion, and a curved portion extending curvedly and upwardly from the flat portion. The curved portion of the second grill rib has an elevation higher than those of the flat portions of the first and second ribs to prevent sliding out a meat piece from the cooking plate when the meat piece is disposed on the flat portions of the first and second grill ribs.

Abstract: A multipurpose grill for grilling food items anywhere standard electricity is available. The multipurpose grill includes a lower housing member that has plurality of grilling sections, each thermostatically controlled, and a plurality of upper housing members for grilling the top sides of the food being cooked. The upper and lower housing members are pivotally connected.

Abstract: A kitchen hand press for crushing and extruding pulp, juices and oils from food items includes (i) a stationary handle having a tub located at one end with sides, a distal end and a bottom with openings communicating through it, (ii) a pressing element forming a proximal end of the tub journaling and rotating about a shaft extending through the stationary handle; (iii) a large radius, ratchet-toothed, disc segment secured to and rotating with the pressing element; (iv) a pivoting handle pivotally secured to the stationary handle radially outward from the shaft having a ratchet, driving pin for engaging and rotating the ratchet-toothed disc segment rotating it and the pressing element into the tub upon pivotal rotation of the of the pivoting handle inward toward the stationary handle and ratcheting over the ratchet-toothed disc segment upon pivotal rotation of the pivoting handle outward away from the stationary handle; and (v) a releasable ratchet, latching mechanism integral with the stationary handle for en

Abstract: A grill device includes a lower grill unit with a lower cooking member, and a frame pivoted to a rear side of the lower grill unit so as to be turnable rearwardly relative to the lower grill unit. The frame has two lateral arms defining therebetween a receiving space and confining the lower cooking member therebetween when the frame is at a closed position relative to the lower grill unit. An upper grill unit is disposed in the receiving space, is pivoted to the lateral arms of the frame so as to be turnable relative to the frame, has an upper cooking member which is registered with and which is electrically coupled to the lower cooking member of the lower grill units, and cooperates with the lower grill unit to confine a cooking space therebetween when the frame is at the closed position.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a horizontal, extensible shovel which is driven step by step through a predetermined path by motorized means; a distributor of dough loaves arranged for dropping loaves at a first stop in the shovel path; a pizza moulder arranged at a second stop in the shovel path, for pressing and spreading the loaf; several distributors of a dressing, placed at at least a third stop in the shovel path, for dropping metered portions of dressing on the pizza carried by the shovel; and an oven placed at a fourth stop in the shovel path, for receiving the pizza from the shovel.

Abstract: There is provided a manually actuated press comprising a housing having a lower platen attached thereto. The lower platen defines a generally planar top surface. Moreover, at least one upper platen is in mechanical communication with the housing and defines a generally plated bottom surface. The at least one upper platen is translatable with respect to the lower platen in a manner forming a generally parallel relationship between the bottom and top surfaces when within a prescribed distance range therefrom. Further, the at least one upper platen is rotatable with respect to the lower platen when exceeding the prescribed distance range.

Abstract: A toaster for bread-type food products includes a generally upright using defining a toasting cavity having a top mouth for depositing the food products into the cavity and a bottom opening from which toasted food products exit the cavity. A conveyor conveys the food products through the cavity. A toasting heater platen spaced from the conveyor toasts the food products as they are conveyed through the cavity. A flexible chute is disposed at the bottom opening of the cavity and against which the toasted food products are deposited as they exit the cavity. The flexible chute directs the toasted food products away from the opening at an angle to the direction the food products are conveyed through the cavity.

Abstract: An aluminum foil mold is placed in a rigid back-up mold with a cavity matching the contour of the foil mold. Fluid food deposited in the foil mold is compressed therein by a mold top that is pressed down against the back-up mold. Heat applied to the back-up mold and mold top flows to the foil mold and fluid food therein to effect baking under pressure. Thus, a unified food product is formed in the foil mold that can protect the food product against handling damage until it is eaten. A foil mold of novel design is used to form a food product shaped like an upside-down pizza shell.

Abstract: A die ring for a dough pressing machine is provided which is to surround a die carried on a movable platen. The die ring, which must be vertically movable relative to the die and platen, is held onto the platen by a plurality of fasteners extending through a flange at an outer periphery of the ring. The flange is elevated above a lower face of the die ring so that the fasteners will be spaced above any dough positioned under the die ring on a dough supporting surface.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus produces defined lengths of meat or other filling materials for taquitos, enchiladas, burritos, and other rolled, wrapped, or folded tortilla foods. This apparatus includes a small, upper, filling conveyor that operates in parallel with a large, lower, tortilla conveyor. Other components include an extruder, nozzle, cutter, and various sensors that produce output signals indicating tortilla and filling position. Encoders are also provided to represent position and/or movement of at least the upper conveyor. According to the sensor outputs, a controller regulates operation of the upper conveyor, extruder, and cutter to produce and then accurately deposit segments of filling material upon tortillas as they pass by upon the lower conveyor. As needed, the controller (1) advances, reversed, and/or stops the upper conveyor, (2) directs the pump to start/stop filling production, and (3) regulates the cutter to cut extruded filling material.

Abstract: A digitally controlled, manually actuated press comprising a housing having a lower platen attached thereto. The lower platen defines a generally planar top surface. Pivotally connected to the housing are left and right actuation handles, each of which is selectively movable between a loading/unloading and a press position. The press further comprises left and right transitional leveling members which are cooperatively engaged to respective ones of the actuation handles. Also included in the press are left and right upper platens which are cooperatively engaged to respective ones of the leveling members. Each of the upper platens define a generally planar bottom surface. In the press, each of the leveling members is configured to facilitate the rotation of the bottom surface of the corresponding upper platen into generally parallel relation to the top surface during the movement of the corresponding actuation handle from its loading/unloading position to its press position.

Abstract: A manually operated coffee bean press for ensuring the proper extraction of coffee. The manually operated coffee bean press includes a frame. The frame includes a base and a leg. The leg includes a first end, a second end, and a front side and a back side with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. The frame also includes a shelf comprising a plate integrally coupled to the leg. The coffee bean pressing apparatus also includes a cylinder integrally coupled to the leg. The coffee bean pressing apparatus further comprises a piston member including a shaft being positioned in the cylinder. The shaft includes a hole with a lever removably coupled to it. The lever is hingedly coupled to the leg by a hinging member.

Abstract: A food grill assembly for cooking a food product is disclosed which comprises a base, a lower platen ensemble associated with the base, the lower platen ensemble having a heat source and a surface upon which a food product to be cooked is placed, the lower platen ensemble further comprising a back wall and a pair of side walls which are integral with the lower platen ensemble with the walls forming a splash guard, an upper platen ensemble having a heat source, the upper platen ensemble having a surface which is adapted to be in contact with a food product to be cooked, a counterbalance assembly connected to the base, and a handle mechanism connected to the counterbalance assembly and the upper platen ensemble for providing pivoting movement of the upper platen assembly relative to the base, the counterbalance assembly for leveling the upper platen assembly relative to the lower platen assembly when the upper platen assembly is within a predetermined distance from the lower platen assembly.

Abstract: A meat preparing machine having two vertically stacked columns of two or more non-sharpened edge stainless steel rollers, or of various other materials such as plastic or aluminum, adjacent to one another in an aluminum or stainless steel frame. The stacked rollers are configured to tenderize, flatten, scrape or cut the meat into strips. Four threaded shafts with numbers connect each corner of the stacked rollers to an adjacent corner of the other stacked rollers to allow for the adjustment of the spacing between the stacked rollers. A first conveyor belt with scraper at the end to discharge meat into the first and second columns is mounted adjacent the top of the rollers for feeding the meat into the rollers. A second conveyor belt with scrapers to discharge meat is mounted adjacent the bottom of the rollers for retrieving the prepared meat from the machine.

Abstract: A tortilla forming machine for molding dough into a tortilla shell having a top, a bottom, a peripheral edge, and a thickness. The forming machine includes a first member having a first forming surface, a second member having a second forming surface moveable toward and away from the first forming surface, and at least one removable sizing ring. The sizing ring includes a first edge and an opposing second edge, an inner surface and a height defining a cavity between the first and second forming surfaces when the first forming surface is adjacent the first edge and the second forming surface is adjacent the second edge such that the inner surface of the ring forms the peripheral edge of the tortilla shell and the height of the ring forms the thickness of the tortilla shell.

Abstract: An aluminum foil mold is placed in a rigid back-up mold with a cavity matching the contour of the foil mold. Fluid food deposited in the foil mold is compressed therein by a mold top that is pressed down against the back-up mold. Heat applied to the back-up mold and mold top flows to the foil mold and fluid food therein to effect baking under pressure. Thus, a unified food product is formed in the foil mold that can protect the food product against handling damage until it is eaten. A foil mold of novel design is used to form a food product shaped like an upside-down pizza shell.