Abstract:
A convection heating apparatus with smoke and grease management means and an improved temperature controlled gas delivery system. The apparatus includes an exterior cabinet, an interior chamber and intermediate walls disposed between the exterior cabinet and interior chamber such that an intermediate cavity is provided between the interior chamber and intermediate walls and an outer cavity is provided between the exterior cabinet and intermediate walls. The apparatus further includes a product support, preferably a conveyor, disposed in the interior chamber. A blower for circulating temperature controlled gas into said interior chamber is also provided which is in fluid communication with at least one duct (preferably a plurality) having a jet plate with orifices positioned to direct temperature controlled gas toward the product support. A second blower is provided for circulating air through the outer cavity and intermediate cavity to cool the exterior cabinet walls and interior chamber walls. An improved air delivery duct is provided having a dual taper resulting in uniform distribution of the temperature controlled gas to a food product. An air filtering system is also provided comprising a perforated filter plate or louvers and/or catalytic converter disposed in the temperature controlled gas return path.
Abstract:
A pressure regulator and steamer oven for cooking food at low pressure is provided which conserves water and space. The oven includes heating elements and a cooking cavity having a pool for holding water to be turned into steam. A pressure regulator mechanism attached to the rear of the steamer includes a reservoir and a float switch. A steam outlet conduit connects the cooking cavity to the reservoir and extends below the normal water level in the reservoir. The lower end of the conduit is blocked by water in the reservoir. The float switch is operable to turn off the heating elements when the pressure in the conduit exceeds a pre-determined level. Thus, the pressure regulator employs a water seal and float switch to help indirectly measure the pressure in the cooking cavity and control the heating elements accordingly. The reservoir is connected to the pool via an overflow which allows condensate to be recirculated to the cooking cavity. The steamer optionally includes a fill trough disposed above and in front of the cooking cavity and connected to the fluid reservoir for ease of filling. Further, the steamer optionally includes a pool cover with steam directing flow holes for promoting steam flow in the cooking cavity and a vent hole in the steam outlet conduit to help purge cold air on start-up.
Abstract:
An apparatus prepares food products using high velocity air flow. The apparatus includes a cabinet for holding food products and a blower for supplying an air flow to the cabinet in order to heat the food products to a preparation temperature and to maintain the food products at a holding temperature. The cabinet includes a plurality of air inlet ports through which a portion of the air flow enters the cabinet, and a plurality of air outlet ports from which the air flow exits the cabinet. The air flow is controlled at a rate within a range of about 1800 to about 2000 cubic feet per minute during a preparation period and within a range of about 810 to about 930 cubic feet per minute during a holding period. Further, a method for preparing food products using high velocity air flow includes the following steps: placing food products contained in a substantially moisture-tight, storage bags into a cabinet; directing an air flow against the storage bags at a first flow rate within a range of about 1800 to about 2000 cubic feet per minute during a preparation period, and then directing an air flow against the storage bags at a second flow rate within a range of about 810 to about 930 cubic feet per minute during a holding period.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cooking oven for cooking food products. A modular cooking oven herein disclosed may include a plurality of modules arranged in end-to-end relationship, with partitions between adjacent modules. A continuously moving conveyor belt extends longitudinally through the oven from an inlet end to an outlet end. Hot cooking gas is continuously circulated in a closed path which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the oven. A hot gas is circulated downwardly and then is directed through a plurality of axially spaced transversed slots, both above and below the conveyor, toward the conveyor belt and food cooking thereon. Spent gasses are then deflected away from the conveyor belt into a recirculation path, and are reheated in this return path prior to recirculation in a further cycle. Air and steam inlets are provided at various points, and are so arranged that an operator can provide either similar or different conditions of temperature and humidity in different modules. Within any given module, conditions are highly uniform both along the longitudinal axis of the oven and from side-to-side along the conveyor belt. The oven interior may be cleaned by introducing a full strength cleaning solution through nozzles at various points arranged to contact all surfaces which may accumulate any cooking residue, and washing the cleaning solution down with water, while the oven is warm but not in use.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for heating a product which includes a plurality of tapered ducts in a cabinet above and below a conveyor to form streams which are directed toward the product. Spent air is drawn through return ducts which have intake openings centered between entrance and exit openings in the cabinet and centered between lateral edges of a conveyor and between the tapered ducts to provide a balanced flow of spent air in the cabinet to the return opening. Temperature controlled gas is delivered at an angle through an array of openings adjacent opposite edges of an opening through which a conveyor extends to cause most of the heated air to be drawn to the return duct opening and to maintain internal pressure in the cabinet to prevent ingress and egress of air through the opening.
Abstract:
The invention describes a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of the floor of a cooking oven by utilizing a recirculating primary heat transfer fluid made to flow through a heat exchanger located in an oven floor. After traveling through the oven floor and absorbing heat, the primary fluid travels to an external liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger wherein the primary fluid transfers heat to a secondary circulating heat transfer fluid. The primary fluid is then recirculated through the oven floor to maintain the floor at a predetermined temperature. The heated secondary fluid may then be utilized for other processes such as in the conveyor belt washing tank of the oven, or it may be discarded. The primary heat transfer fluid may be a thermal oil having a boiling point substantially in excess of 212.degree. F., and having other properties designed to prevent the corrosion, plugging, and fouling of the heat exchanger located in the oven floor. The second fluid is preferably water. The external liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger is easy to clean and service, while the primary fluid avoids degradation of the oven floor heat exchanger. Various sensors may be used to monitor temperature and/or pressure of both the primary and secondary heat transfer fluids as well as other operational allowing a control system to automatically regulate operation of the system.
Abstract:
A method and a structure for implementing integrated circuit designs into a plurality of clocked and unclocked reprogrammable logic circuits. Software structures analyze the target logic circuit, form clusters, partitions the integrated circuit design and implement the partitions into the clocked and unclocked reprogrammable logic circuits in order to prevent hold time violation artifacts.
Abstract:
In a continuous oven for making baked ware comprises a baking belt, which extends through an elongate oven space, and upper and lower radiant heaters, which are flown through by heating gas and are included in a heating gas circulating circuit, which comprises a heat exchanger, which is arranged to be heated by the nesting gases being recycled and serves to neat the air that is to be supplied to the oven space The heat exchanger is included in the heating gas circulating circuit between the radiant heaters and the exhaust gas outlet and in an air circulating circuit provided with a water vapor outlet and a fresh air inlet is disposed between the fresh air inlet and the oven space.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for vending a hot food product wherein a sealed container is moved from a protective sleeve and deposited in an oven where heat is transferred to the container for initially melting a protective sealing film and then heating the food product. After the food product has been heated, the container is removed from the oven and reinserted into the protective sleeve prior to dispensing the heated food product.