A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.

An illumination and visualization device is provided along with a method of illuminating and visualizing and a formulation for an enhanced visualization (EV) coating for a baking pan or similar implement. The EV coating having a fluorescent component that shows the condition of the coating and any interfering materials that can adhere to the pan during use. The method and device for illumination and visualization can have a conveyance device which moves baked goods pans. The pans are illuminated with a known energy source or light. As noted, the EV coating having been applied as, for instance but not limited to, a release or non-adhesion coating layer reacts with and re-emits or reflects energy when subjected to certain incident energy forms or frequencies in the form of, for instance, light. The device can then provide an image of the pan and highlight any variations in the light re-emitted by the coating which can indicate wear on the coating or, in another non-limiting example, the presence of baked on debris.

A device for producing baked products, in particular edible crisp wafers or soft waffles, contains at least one baking plate, the baking surface of which can be heated to a baking temperature. The baking plate has a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the baking plate and/or a pressure acting on the baking surface of the baking plate during the baking process.

A device for producing baked products, in particular edible crisp wafers or soft waffles, contains at least one baking plate, the baking surface of which can be heated to a baking temperature. The baking plate has a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the baking plate and/or a pressure acting on the baking surface of the baking plate during the baking process.

An oven includes a cooking chamber for housing food to be cooked, a control unit, and a reservoir for containing washing detergent at room temperature. The washing detergent has an activation temperature. The oven also includes a liquid supply arrangement selectively activated by the control unit for supplying the washing detergent into the cooking chamber, and one liquid heating element for heating the washing detergent and to be selectively activated by the control unit. During a washing cycle, the control unit performs the following ordered operations: a) activate the one liquid heating element for a first time period sufficient to increase its temperature to the activation temperature; b) deactivate the liquid heating element; c) when the temperature of the liquid heating element is about the activation temperature, activate the liquid supply arrangement so that the washing detergent is heated by the liquid heating element while supplied into the cooking chamber.

A conveyor tunnel oven incorporating a baking chamber having a longitudinal and an oppositely longitudinal ends; a food item intake and output ports opening the baking chamber at the baking chamber's longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends; a food conveyor extending through the baking chamber, the food conveyor having a longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends extending from the food intake and output ports; a longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers including a first longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber, and at least a second longitudinal auxiliary baking, the first longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber having a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the at least second longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber; and a longitudinal mounting plate attaching the longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers to the baking chamber, the longitudinal mounting plate positioning the longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers over the food conveyor's longitudinal end.

A conveyor tunnel oven incorporating a baking chamber having a longitudinal and an oppositely longitudinal ends; a food item intake and output ports opening the baking chamber at the baking chamber's longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends; a food conveyor extending through the baking chamber, the food conveyor having a longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends extending from the food intake and output ports; a longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers including a first longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber, and at least a second longitudinal auxiliary baking, the first longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber having a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the at least second longitudinal auxiliary baking chamber; and a longitudinal mounting plate attaching the longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers to the baking chamber, the longitudinal mounting plate positioning the longitudinal plurality of auxiliary baking chambers over the food conveyor's longitudinal end.

A robotic processing system and method are disclosed for processing materials using a series of containers stored in an automated storage and picking system. Each of the containers performs a specific function on the materials stored therein. The materials are passed from bin to bin via a suitable dispensing and transferring system. For example, a system is disclosed for delivering ingredients to a micro-brewery, as are methods for brewing small or test batches of beer according to customers' individual requirements.