Abstract: Deflector at top of toasting chamber enhances flow of cooling air in a space between the outer cover of a toaster and the inner wall of a "double wall" structure by projection inward relative to the top opening in the toaster cover.

Abstract: In a method for the production of toaster heating elements firstly connecting strips made of electrically conductive material are arranged in the region of edge recesses at opposite edges at the rear side of a support plate, opposite to the heating side. Then a plurality of heating conductor wires are provided substantially parallel to one another and in such a way that they cross the connecting strips in the region of the edge recesses at the heating side and thereby are electrically connected to said strips. Furtheron the wires are cut off. In an apparatus for performing the method there is provided a processing station comprising a supporting surface for the support plate of the heating elements. The processing station further comprises housing grooves one for each connecting strips. Said grooves are situated at opposite side edge regions of the supporting surface. Further a delivery station associated with the processing station is provided.

Abstract: A continuous process for imparting a charcoal-broiled flavor and appearance to meat products, moves the product into impingement with open gas flames to sear the product's surfaces and to brand the upper and lower product surfaces with hot, metal branding elements.The food treatment apparatus has a housing furnished with product inlet and outlet conveyors. Movable branding apparatus disposed between the conveyors are heated by open flame gas burners. The conveyors and branding apparatus are driven in synchronization so that the product may move from the inlet conveyor to the branding station and thence to the outlet conveyor for further treatment.

Abstract: An oven for cooking and heating foodstuffs comprising an elongated, substantially rectangular, heat insulated housing having an entrance end, an exit end, first and second sides, a top and bottom. The housing interior defines a chamber having a first section adjacent the entrance end, a second intermediate section and a third section adjacent the exit end. A continuous, driven conveyor having an upper cooking flight and a lower return flight is supported at its ends beyond the oven housing entrance and exit ends by sprockets and extends longitudinally throughout all three sections of the oven chamber, the upper cooking flight constituting a continuously moving cooking surface intermediate the height of the oven chamber with means to vary its speed. The first and third sections of the oven chamber have upper and lower radiant heating element assemblies located above and below the upper cooking flight of the conveyor.

Abstract: Bread is toasted by being moved by a conveyor, in upright position, between a plurality of radiant heating elements. The conveyor is provided with vertically spaced metal endless belts that carry between them pusher members. The bread is fed toward the conveyor by a spring-urged feeder, whereby slices of bread are removed one by one from the stacked series of slices by the pushers on the conveyor.

Abstract: A toaster chassis assembly for supporting heating element cards in an upstanding position in parallel relation, to define a bread-receiving slot therebetween, includes a horizontal base and end walls extending vertically upwardly from opposite ends of the base. The base defines a plurality of spaced slots for receiving tabs formed along the lower edges of the heating element cards for mounting the cards between the end walls and a plurality of tabular hooks extending from the base. Wire bread guards each comprising a plurality of vertical elements and an upper and lower horizontal element to form a grid, are mounted adjacent to the heating element cards to prevent engagement of bread slices being toasted with the heating element cards. The lower horizontal elements of the wire bread guards are received in the tabular hooks and the upper horizontal elements are received in slots formed along the upper edges of the end walls for supporting the bread guards.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus in which an endless conveyor moving through a heated cooking zone along a closed path of travel having upper and lower runs is cleaned by engagement with a guide which directs the lower run along a sinuous path. The cooking zone is enclosed by a housing having air flow passages which cooperate with a particular air flow circulating arrangement for cooling portions of the apparatus while minimizing loss of conditioned air from the building in which the apparatus is located. Provision is made for accommodating varying usage loads by selection of conveyor speed and heating levels.

Abstract: A food product is prepared in a vertically slot-shaped oven space by being exposed to IR-radiation having a very short wave-length of the order of .mu.m simultaneously on two opposite vertical sides while being surrounded by a controlled air flow directed downwards. IR-radiation means are arranged adjacent the two opposite side walls delimiting the oven space. In a first embodiment the food product is held between two vertical net plates mounted on the inside of an oven door for being turned into the oven space when the door is shut. In a second embodiment the food product passes through the oven space while being held between two vertical parts of two endless net bands circulating downwards through the oven space.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique manually operable lever, latch lever, and catch lever are provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster main switch and an oven toaster timer. The manually operable lever is provided with a lug for actuating the latch lever to release the catch lever to stop the operation of the toast timer and open the main switch without opening the oven toaster door. The manually operable lever is also provided with a pin which is uniquely positioned with respect to the catch lever for both operating the catch lever to start operation of the toast timer and being actuated by the catch lever at the end of a toasting cycle for moving the manually operable lever to open the main switch.

Abstract: An element guard for an electric toaster is formed from a sheet metal blank and has at least one grid formed by extending a slotted area of the blank. The guard defines a toasting chamber within the toaster and the grid has openings therein so that heat radiated by a heating element of the toaster can toast bread in the toasting chamber.