Abstract: A food preparation device is provided with a toaster portion and an attached slicing mechanism. The device may be used to prepare toasted bagels and other food products. The toaster portion and the slicing mechanism are arranged to provide a compact construction. The slicing mechanism may be provided with slot-shaped guides for guiding a knife. A press plate may be used to hold the food product in a desired position for cutting. In addition, a device may be provided for removing the food product after it has been sliced.

Abstract: A combined baker and ice cream maker includes a base plate, a barrel-receiving container, and a bread baking unit and an ice cream making unit which are to be selectively received in the container. Each of the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit has a bottom mounting portion. A heater is disposed inside the container. A barrel seat is mounted on the base plate for selectively seating the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit thereon. A shaft extends through the base plate into the barrel seat. A driving unit is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the shaft. A switch is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the heater. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base plate and has opposite first and second ends. The first end extends to the switch, while the second end extends to the barrel seat.

Abstract: The machine comprises a refrigerating store (2) which is provided with a series of columns (3) wherein are piled annular dishes (4) which contain the precooked product (1), columns(3) which are supported by a rotary platform (5) and which can rotate with respect to a fixed platform (7) situated at the bottom, the rotary platform (5) having a series of openings (6) wherein are located the extreme dishes corresponding to one column (3); parallel to the fixed platform (7) a sliding plate (8) is provided which has an opening (6) in which falls the plate (4) in a situation facing the opening (10) of the rotary platform (5), also having a lower fixed plate (9) on which the sliding plate (8) can move thereby displacing the plate, and which is provided with a cavity (11) for the passage of a vertically displaceable horizontal support (12) which pushes the product (1) till it is introduced into an oven (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for allotting soup and ingredients, by which it is possible to allot soup for customers without the possibility of scorching, to provide soup immediately for the customers through simple procedure, and to evenly distribute ingredients and to avoid collapse of initial shape of the ingredients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus designed to insure the integrity of food and food service in vending cart. Specifically, disclosed is a system that ensures the integrity of the food will not be compromised, by providing an enclosed or environmentally protected food service station, either portable, mobile or stationary. The system may also provide food monitoring for security, time, temperature and transaction accounting. The system consists of an enclosed or environmentally protected food service station, a sealed food compartment in which food is served, a food storage compartment, an access door for providing service and cleaning to the sealed sections of the station, and optionally an integrated security system that ensures that all access doors and ports are monitored for access and integrity. The security system provides an alarm and reporting capability. Authorization codes are provided to control alarm reset and accounting features of the system.

Abstract: An automated self-service pizza process and system comprises a vending machine with self-contained cooking and processing equipment to rapidly prepare delicious pizza. The stand-alone unattended process and system visually displays pizzas with choices of different toppings for selection by a customer who can pay for the pizza by credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash. Pizza crust can be moved to an assembly area by a robot. In the assembly area, the selected toppings are automatically dispensed on the pizza crust. The pizza is then conveyed to an oven where it is cooked and discharged into a cardboard box or other suitable container. The type of pizza and customer's name can be printed on the box with an ink jet printer.

Abstract: An oven apparatus includes a support unit which supports a cylindrically shaped oven unit which includes a first oven end and a second oven end. An oven access door is located at each oven end. Drawer guide tracks are supported by interior portions of the oven unit and extend outward from the interior portions of the oven unit. Grill drawers are supported by the respective drawer guide tracks. Fuel access doors having adjustable draft valves are located on the respective oven ends, and a damper-containing vent pipe is connected to the oven unit. The oven access doors are supported by the oven ends by horizontally oriented access door hinges. The oven access doors are located above the drawer guide tracks. The oven unit includes drain ports located at bottom portions of the oven unit. A thermometer is supported by the oven unit. First and second trays are supported at the respective oven ends, and the trays are located astride of the oven access doors.

Abstract: A water station, or cabinet, or console, particularly for use in kitchens and in restaurant kitchens and in oriental restaurant kitchens, contains (i) a reverse osmosis system, and (ii) a sink. The water cabinet dispenses copious amounts of (i) water purified by reverse osmosis ("RO water"), as well as (ii) tap, or supply, water and (iii) waste water from the reverse osmosis (RO) process, respectively from three faucets in position over the sink. The cabinet is compact: it fits within the footprint of, and replaces, a conventional restaurant sink. The RO water purification performed by the RO system completely within the cabinet is water-conserving, typically producing RO purified water and waste water at a ratio as low as one-to one (1:1) by using an adjustable feedback path for waste water. Operational status is clearly visible. Maintenance is easy, with sediment filters replaceable on-line.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for delivering formed, freshly fried potato products from a dehydrated potato granulate. The apparatus includes a frying unit with a frying vessel, heating element, device for controlling dwell time of the potato product, and at least two temperature sensors. The apparatus also includes a control unit for controlling the frying time. The apparatus may also include a dough making unit having a fixed lower plate and a rotary device having four cups.

Abstract: A food plate for containing food and supporting a beverage container wherein the plate and beverage container are held together as a unit by one hand of a person. The food plate has a flat top surface and at least one depression formed therein for containing a food item. A first aperture formed in the plate is sized and shaped to allow passage of a beverage container partially therethrough and engage a mid portion of the beverage container such that the center of gravity of the container is even with or below the top surface of the plate and the lower portion of the container exterior is exposed on the underside of the plate. A second aperture formed in the plate adjacent to the first aperture is sized and shaped to receive the thumb of the person's hand from the underside of the plate.

Abstract: An improved self-contained frying machine is disclosed and claimed with significantly enhanced reliability, repeatability and maintenance. The extruder and dibber assemblies are not attached to any surface plates, thus permitting easy removal for cleaning. More significantly, the extruder assemblies are not connected to an upper shelf, thereby alleviating misalignment concerns. Efficient motor-driven rack and gear components are disclosed for the extruder assembly, dibber assembly, slide assembly and the carousel assembly. The electrical system comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) that is preferably mounted in a housing that is external to the machine, preferably resting on the top of the frying machine. The mounting of the PLC and other electrical components in an external box diminishes the interference from background noise introduced by the various motors. Various sensors positioned on the different assemblies provide real-time information to the PLC.

Abstract: A computerized cooker is described which sequentially enters numerous food items into various cooking pots and introduces liquid ingredients as well. Food is cooked in accordance with a specified computer program.

Abstract: An automatic convection heating baking apparatus for bread or cake making with greatly improved automatic-baking quality is disclosed. Baking in this apparatus is achieved by two hot air streams each covering about half of the baking chamber space. Hot air circulation is produced by forming suction and blowing regions within the baking chamber by placing an electric fan within a single ventilation compartment. The machine is compact and low-cost since only a single electric fun is needed to cause circulation and to produce two hot air streams, premature hot air return to the ventilation compartment is prevented by using air-regulating means. Dual timer for mixing and baking is provided to improve cake fluffiness by controlling heating during ingredient mixing.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing food items has a cooling unit for accommodating packages of edible inner part and separately outer baked dough part; a unit for opening a package with the edible inner part; a unit for withdrawing individual edible inner part from the open package; a unit for thermal processing of each edible inner part; a unit for opening a box with outer baked dough part; a unit for placing the thermally treated edible inner part into the outer baked dough part in the open package; a unit for warming up the outer baked dough part with the edible inner part located inside the outer baked dough part so as to form a finished food item; a unit for dispensing the thusly formed finished food item; and a transporting a unit for displacing packages with the edible inner parts, the individual inner part, the boxes with the outer baked dough part, and the finished food items between said preceding means.

Abstract: A hot air oven for food preparation, with a housing, with a cooking chamber that is defined by side walls as well as a bottom wall and a covering wall, with a blower for generating a hot air current in the cooking chamber, with a basket for the food, which basket can be inserted into the cooking chamber, wherein the basket can be rotated around a rotational axis and in operation, is penetrated by the hot air current, and is particularly easy to clean because, at least in sections along its circumference, the basket has a wall that is made of sheet metal and is provided with openings in its wall.

Abstract: A kneading paddle extraction device for removing the kneading paddle from a loaf of bread made by an automatic bread making machine, while minimizing damage to the loaf, is provided. A kneading paddle containing a substantially central aperture for receiving a motor shaft is grasped by one or more rods, each rod having a hook which is inserted through the aperture, with the preferred embodiment additionally utilizing a sliding wedge for grasping the kneading paddle.

Abstract: An apparatus for baking bread and making ice cram includes a housing unit, a bread baking assembly, an ice-cream making assembly and a base assembly. A selected one of the bread baking assembly and the ice-cream making assembly can be mounted into the housing unit and can be activated by a motor-driven member of the base assembly.

Abstract: The apparatus for preparing a snack food product without the use of cooking oil includes an insulated housing with a product conveyor extending therethrough. A combination of overhead infra-infra red source and underneath open flame burners are positioned to create a high energy heat zone along one length of the belt. Air impingement scatter jets are positioned above and below a subsequent length of the belt and a superimposed hold down belt restrains the products from scattering. A dryer zone with fast moving hot dry air is provided to reduce the product moisture to a desired final end point.

Abstract: An electric toaster (10) which comprises a body (11) having at least one bread compartment (12), an electrical heating element provided inside the compartment (12), a hinged support (17) provided on the body (11) and above the compartment (12) for supporting a piece of food for warming by the heating element. The support (17) is movable between an extended condition for operation and a collapsed condition for storage. It is formed by two inverted broad generally U-shaped elongate support bars (18,19) each having a central limb (18A/19A) for supporting a piece of food and a pair of opposite side limbs (18B,18C/19B,19C). The support bars (18,19) are arranged to have their side limbs (18B,19B/18C,19C) at each end of the central limbs (18A,19A) adjacent each other. A manual operating member (26) for moving the support (17) between the extended and collapsed conditions. One (18B) of the side limbs is in engagement with the operating member (26) for movement thereby.

Abstract: The present invention features a combination bread-baker and a convection oven that bakes or cooks food thoroughly and evenly. Air is circulated through the baking or cooking chamber via a fan disposed in the side of the baking/cooking chamber. Steam can be introduced into the baking/cooking chamber during a cooking cycle by means of a steam-generator. A water reservoir supplies water to a steam-generating tube that is contiguously adjacent a portion of the heating coil. A microprocessor digitally controls both the baking and the cooking cycles. A pair of sensors positioned about the baking/cooking chamber send signals to the microprocessor that indicate levels of both heat and humidity within the chamber. The sensors continuously monitor the baking or cooking conditions within the chamber. The microprocessor uses the updated information to continuously adjust either the amount of steam being introduced, or the speed of the fan for adjusting the circulating air.

Abstract: The potato, peeled, cut and refrigerated, is supplied by means of an endless worm to a displaceable carriage arranged on and adjustable beam balance and is passed to a single or double dose frier, falls on a separate tray by means of a double endless worm with truncated extremities, further receives the selected sauce and the salt, which have been previously dosed by dosers, and passes to another delivery carriage.

Abstract: The invention provides a roasting process for the preparation of fruit or nuts such as almonds, cashew nuts, pecan nuts, peanuts; and the like. This process is characterized by the addition of oil to said fruit or nuts prior to the roasting stage. The invention also provides an equipment for applying this process, which essentially comprises feeding means (I) for the fruit or nuts to be roasted and conveying means (2) for carrying said fruit towards roasting means (3), said equipment being characterized in that it also includes oil and salt dispensing means (6, 7) at the inlet of the roasting means.

Abstract: Electrical household appliance which permits simultaneous toasting of bread and cooking of food in separate cavities which are arranged within a housing in perpendicular relationship and each of the cavities being provided with respective heating elements. Bread slices are inserted into the toaster cavity from slots on the top of the appliance and are toast in the vertical position while other articles of food are inserted horizontally into the oven cavity through an opening on the front side of the appliance. The food articles in the oven cavity can be cooked while bread is toasting in the toaster cavity. The appliance is provided with controls for adjusting the temperatures and times for toasting and cooking. One of the heating elements utilized in the toaster cavity may be shiftable from a first position in the toaster compartment to a second position in the oven cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for use in heat treatment of for example French fried potatoes (10). This process takes place in a treatment chamber (3) where the product is exposed to intensive heat radiation from a number of quartz tubes (14) while they constantly are turned by means of a rotating driving wheel (15) with a number of carriers (16) placed along the periphery. Humidity, smoke and smell separated from the product during this process are sucked off by means of a ventilator (17) which leads the polluted air through a filter device (4) via a convector (5) between the treatment chamber (3) and the filter device (4). The whole arrangement is built up into a cabinet (2) which on the top and at the bottom is provided with ventilation openings (26, 27) through which secondary air is flowing for cooling the polluted air flowing through the convector (5). Thereby a heat exchange effect is obtained for reducing the sucked off temperature to an acceptable level before the air reaches the filter device (4).

Abstract: A food cutting holder mounted in conjunction with a toaster for toasting bagels, muffins, bread slices and other similar types of foodstuff. The food cutting holder is to be confinable within the housing of the toaster when in the storage position and removable from the housing when it is intended to be used. The food cutting holder confiningly locates the food item in a precise position facilitating division of the food item into a plurality of separate pieces. It is intended that these separate pieces are then to be toasted within the toaster.

Abstract: A substantially smokeless cooker is disclosed. The cooker includes a housing having a cooking chamber therein. A first heating element including at least one resistive element is carried in the cooking chamber to supply heat directly to food positioned adjacent thereto for cooking thereof. A steam producing apparatus independent of the first heating element is provided for producing steam. The vapors in the steam are disposed for permeating the food to provide moisture thereto during the cooking thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air oven for the preparation of foodstuffs, having: a casing; a refining chamber bounded by four side walls, a bottom wall and a cover wall; a first fan for producing a hot air flow in the refining chamber; a rotatable basket for the foodstuffs which can be introduced into the refining chamber and through which the hot air flow passes during operation; a control device for the performance of the refining process, said control device comprising a temperature-regulating system; and at least one air supply channel and at least one air discharge channel, a more reliable and low-maintenance operation of which is made possible by the provision of at least one flap to open or close the air supply channel and/or the air discharge channel.

Abstract: An enhanced hydration extrusion cooking system, method and extruded product are provided which utilize a conventional extrusion cooking system with a material feed bin feeding material to a conditioning cylinder, from which it is fed to a cooking or forming extruder. An enhanced hydration subsystem is provided for providing a high-starch slurry to the conditioning cylinder, which can be gelatinized immediately prior to or promptly upon entry to the conditioning cylinder. The enhanced hydration subsystem includes a make-up tank receiving high-starch powder and water, which are mixed therein to form a slurry. The slurry is transferred to a pumping tank, from which metered amounts of the slurry are pumped to the conditioning cylinder. The slurry provides a source of pre-gelatinized starch which facilitates the extrusion cooking process and provides a number of desirable characteristics in the extruded product.

Abstract: A doll controlling device controls a doll driving device to make a doll carry out movement for selling foods or drinks. A releasing device releases one of foods or drinks from a food or drink harvesting device when the releasing device is supplied with a money receipt signal and a selecting signal. A sound producing device produces sounds which are useful for selling foods or drinks. The dispenser for foods or drinks selling device may further comprise a cooking device for cooking foods or drinks from the harvesting device.

Abstract: A combination fryer and charbroiler food cooking apparatus is provided. The food basket is slideably mounted to a centering rod mounted to a cooking oil container. The basket is moveable from a lower frying position to an upper spinning and/or charbroiling position. In the upper position, the basket is spun about its central axis to spin out unwanted excess fat, oil and grease. The food basket accommodates an insert food support for receiving a charbroil cover which includes charbroiling cooking elements. Upon installation of a charbroil cover, the charbroiling elements are positioned between upstanding food items residing in the insert food support. As a result, effective frying, charbroiling and removal of fat can be achieved.

Abstract: A self contained frying machine having a storage area, a mixing chamber for receiving a pre-measured amount of dehydrated food product from the storage area and rehydrating and solidifying the same, a piston for compressing the rehydrated food product and forcing it through an orificed die plate where the dehydrated and solidified food product is formed into individual pieces. The pieces are then deposited into a hot oil chamber and, after frying, drained and deposited into a container for consumption.

Abstract: A kitchen layout is provided which includes a plurality of work areas and devices arranged to promote efficient cooking and handling. The kitchen includes a food cooking area for cooking food items which require further processing and assembly into a finished product. The food cooking area contains various food cooking devices, such as a grill, an oven or a fryer. A cooked-food assembly area containing an assembly area is spaced apart from the food cooking area. The cooked food items are assembled into finished products within the cooked-food assembly area in response to customer orders. A cooked-food buffer area is provided intermediate the food cooking area and the cooked-food assembly area and proximally located to both the food cooking area and the cooked-food assembly area.

Abstract: An automated deep frying system includes a refrigerated food storage compartment having a portion controller and dispenser, an isolated cooking chamber having a frying vessel and a food basket which is movable to a variety of preselected positions for loading, cooking and dispensing the food, and an air purifier including a smooth cold surface for isolating the by-products of the frying process. The system also includes a microprocessor controller which is programmed for the system operation, including automatic dispensing, preparation and serving of preselected portions of food in response to an operator's input, as well as energy efficient control of the refrigerated food storage compartment and the air purifier cold plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-piece portable oven having an oven body (22), a baking mold (24), and a cover (28). Oven body (22) has and upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall (34) and a substantially flat bottom (32). Baking mold (24) has an upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall (38) and a substantially flat bottom wall (40) with an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening (44) at the center thereof. Baking mold (24) is placed inside oven body (22) for baking and steaming. Cover (28) has a circular configuration and downwardly extending peripheral edge (42) that is adapted to provide a tight fit over the baking mold (24) and oven body (22). The portable oven is adapted to be placed on top of a gas stove or electric range. The direct heat of the flame on the oven body will heat the air inside the portable oven and cause the food inside to be cooked or baked.

Abstract: A food warming arrangement for keeping food at a desired temperature in a food-delivering motor cycle, by taking profit of the heat contained in the exhaust gases of the motor cycle engine, the engine comprising an exhaust gas outlet, the arrangement comprising at least one food-containing case made of thermal insulating walls for defining a warming inner chamber; a heat exchanger within the case, the heat exchanger having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a pipe having a distal end connected to the engine exhaust gas outlet and a proximal end comprising a flexible portion connected to the gas inlet of the heat exchanger, a thermal insulating material covering the entire pipe and a muffler connected to the heat exchanger gas outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air oven for the preparation of foodstuffs with a housing, with a cooking chamber delimited by four side walls as well as a bottom and a ceiling, with a first (2) blower for generating a hot air flow in the cooking chamber, with a rotatable basket (4) for the foodstuffs (5), which can be inserted into the cooking chamber, wherein the basket (4) can be rotated around an axis of rotation and the hot air stream flows through it during operation, wherein the basket (4)is guided into the direction required for insertion into the cooking chamber by means of guide elements (10) wherein the guide elements (10) are provided with a friction-reducing surface.

Abstract: This invention includes a method and apparatus for vending frozen foods and also for vending hot previously frozen foods. The invention includes the use of a microwave oven, and a delivery system that maintains the food in an upright orientation so as to prevent spilling of hot foods. An important feature is that the invention does not destroy the microwave containment integrity of the microwave oven and therefore is safer from a radiation perspective.

Abstract: Automatic hot food dispenser comprising storage columns (11; 45; 65) dimensionnally adjustable for receiving commestible products (14; 42; 79), fixed in the upper portion of the dispenser; in the frame middle portion (16) of the dispenser, one or more hoppers (17, 18; 40, 47; 68) located under the columns (11; 45; 65) collect the commestible products (14; 42; 79) and route them to an access hatch (19, 20; 43, 80) of one of the microwave ovens (21, 22; 44, 48; 90, 91); said microwave oven is provided with an ejection system (23, 24; 51, 61); the commestible product (14; 42; 79) is evacuated on a conveyor (25; 71) to the receptacle (5; 88) for the consumer; the cutlery ejector (89) evacuates a cutlery box (97) into the receptacle (5; 88); the lower portion of the dispenser comprises an automat (27) and an electronic panel (73).

Abstract: Food vending machine particularly for warm food, toasts in the specific case, including multiple per se known stations which are combined so as to obtain a machine which starts from a blister-packaged container inside which a pre-packaged uncooked toast is wrapped and transfers said toast by means of an appropriate drive to a pickup station so that the product to be cooked is placed at a moving cooking station and so that the product is extracted with special extractors after cooking so as to offer it, at the end of the cycle, completely wrapped in an appropriate hygienic napkin for taking on the part of the consumer.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cooker for steaming, drying or boiling foodstuffs includes a base having a switch, an electric heater mounted on the base, a bottom plate mounted on the electric heater, a water container mounted on the bottom plate, a water collector mounted on the water container, a plurality of drying pans mounted on the water container, a steaming pan mounted on the drying pans, a cooking pan mounted on the steaming pan, a cover mounted on the cooking pan and formed on a top with a recess having a center hole, and a plurality of ventilating perforations, and a lid formed with a recess at a center and a plurality of slots thereon.

Abstract: A sandwich preparation apparatus includes a plurality of sandwich production lines disposed parallel to each other. A width of each line is slightly wider than a width of a sandwich prepared in the apparatus. Each sandwich production line includes an automatic heel toasting device, an automatic patty grilling device, and an automatic crown toasting device. A heel stocker, a patty stocker, and a crown stocker are optionally included in the apparatus. A heel adding section, a patty adding section, and a crown adding section are optionally included in the apparatus. A manual preparation section is optionally included for enabling an operator manually to add additional required food materials to the sandwich. This apparatus produces a variety of sandwiches and hamburgers and is compact enough to fit in a relatively small kitchen.

Abstract: A sandwich preparation apparatus includes a food material conveyor having an upstream end region and a downstream finishing end region. The bottom part of a sandwich or burger, including a bun half or slice of bread, has sauces and condiments, and a patty if necessary, automatically added by a first automatic fixing section in the upstream end region. The upper part of the sandwich, optionally including additional sauces, condiments, and patties, is completed by a second automatic fixing section in the downstream finishing end region. Between the two regions is a manual fixing section for an operator to manually add various food materials to the sandwich. The operator controls the automatic fixing sections through first and second input devices and an order display device. The operator is able to change the order or sequence of sandwiches between the upstream end region and the downstream end region using the second input device.

Abstract: A soup concentrate to be mixed with hot water to produce a soup product comprising a combination of a cooked starch slurry, a raw starch and at least one of food particles, flavoring and spices. The soup concentrate has Bostwick Value of between about 0.5 and about 5.0 cm at 40.degree. F. to enable it to be mixed in and dispensed from a machine.

Abstract: A foodstuff vending machine has a vending housing includes a processing container for containing and processing of a foodstuff. A receiving basket is provided for receiving the foodstuff from the processing container. A dispensing mechanism is provided for dispensing the received foodstuff. The receiving basket has an operable surface with a closed position for preventing the received foodstuff from passing therethrough. The receiving basket also has an open position for permitting the received foodstuff to pass through to the dispensing mechanism. The receiving basket also has an opening device for opening the operable surface. The opening device is operable to open the operable surface upon contact with the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A toaster (10) for toasting bagels, muffins, bread slices and other similar foodstuff (18 and 126), where the foodstuff (18 and 126) is inserted within an access opening (14) in the top of the toaster (10) onto a holding rack (186, 188), and the toasted foodstuff (18, 126) is then automatically exited through an exit opening (26) located in the bottom area of the toaster (10). Associated with the exit opening (26) is a planar member (30) which has a work surface (28) upon which the toasted foodstuff (18, 126) is to be deposited. The planar member (30) is to be pivotally mounted on the toaster housing (12) to move between a stowage position and a usage position. A safety protected foodstuff cutter (36) is mounted on the toaster housing (12) with this foodstuff cutter (36) to be operable to divide certain foodstuff (18, 126) into two pieces to facilitate its toasting operation. A novel mechanism is included within the toaster (10) to achieve the toasting operation.

Abstract: A completely automatic, fully self-contained vending machine of standard size which may be operated so that a packaged (boxed) dough-based food product such as a pizza can be withdrawn from a freezer for storing the food product, and delivered to a microwave oven for heating to an appropriate temperature, for delivery (of the heated and cooked food product) to the consumer within a relative short, commercially-desirable time period on the order of one minute or less.

Abstract: An air dispensing apparatus for providing an oscillating mass of hot air to facilitate crisping and browning of a trayed foodstuff includes an oscillating shoe extending from an air introduction chamber having a blower and a volute duct exit and an insulating shaft rotatively connecting an inner end of the shoe to the volute duct exit. The shaft includes a square cross-section portion which transfers torque from a crank-driven oscillator link directly to a matching square cross-section bore or aperture in a side wall of the shoe inner end. A hitch pin at the opposite shaft end prevents axial shaft movement. The insulating shaft eliminates arcing between the volute and the shoe. The invention also includes an improved separator screen for grounding a perforated plate to the air introduction chamber and an overall housing to prevent arcing therebetween.

Abstract: A sandwich preparation apparatus includes an automatic crown preparation section, an automatic heel preparation section, an automatic patty preparation section, and a manual preparation section. The automatic crown preparation section discharges individual crowns from a crown stocker and sequentially toasts them with a toasting device. The automatic heel preparation section discharges individual heels from a heel stocker and sequentially toasts them with a toasting device. The automatic patty preparation section discharges individual patties from a patty stocker and sequentially heats them with a grilling device. In the manual preparation section, prepared crowns, heels, and a patty, if necessary, are manually fixed along with other necessary food materials. The apparatus also includes conveying devices which transfer crowns, heels, and patties prepared at each section to the manual preparation section or its vicinity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making bread according to a predetermined ingredient recipe having a grain supply bin, a grinder for the grain, a dry ingredient supply, and a liquid ingredient supply. A processing unit selectively introduces predetermined amounts of the grain and the liquid/dry ingredients into a mixing chamber. The dough mixture produced is conveyed through proofing and baking steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circulative catering bar equipped with warming system and cold air circulation system which comprises a warming system in which a heater (26) is incorporated in a plate mounted on the crescent chain, a cold air circulation system having cold air paths formed beneath the refrigerating conveyor and circulating cold air onto the refrigerating conveyor, and a setting board (56), disposed above said warming system, and it is possible to cyclically convey ordinary goods, warmed goods and refrigerated goods at the same time by cyclically conveying ordinary goods and warmed goods on a crescent chain of the warming system and cyclically conveying refrigerated goods on the refrigerating conveyor.