A rotary molding system for use in a patty forming machine and configured to mold food products and a fill plate for use within the rotary molding system are provided. A replaceable wear plate is provided which seats between a reciprocating stripper plate and a fill plate. Each plate has holes through which food product passes. A drum having mold cavities receives the food product from the fill plate.

An apparatus for making patties with a ground food product includes a housing including an inlet for receiving the ground food product. A mold plate is positioned at least partially within the housing and includes first and second mold cavities. The mold plate is rotatable about an axis to first and second mold positions. In the first mold position, the first mold cavity is positioned within the housing for receiving the ground food product and the second mold cavity is positioned outside the housing for removing a patty formed therein. In the second mold position, the second mold cavity is positioned within the housing for receiving the ground food product and the first mold cavity is positioned outside the housing for removing a patty formed therein.

An apparatus for making patties with a ground food product includes a housing including an inlet for receiving the ground food product. A mold plate is positioned at least partially within the housing and includes first and second mold cavities. The mold plate is rotatable about an axis to first and second mold positions. In the first mold position, the first mold cavity is positioned within the housing for receiving the ground food product and the second mold cavity is positioned outside the housing for removing a patty formed therein. In the second mold position, the second mold cavity is positioned within the housing for receiving the ground food product and the first mold cavity is positioned outside the housing for removing a patty formed therein.

Heat resistant and/or nonstick polymer materials and composites, and cookware including a food support surface comprising an integrated or attached cooking surface formed of the materials and composites. The cookware can includes a melt-processible fluoropolymer surface or insert. The cookware can further include a laminate material with structural rigidity, wherein the laminate material includes a flexible substrate impregnated with the heat resistant polymer material, coated with a nonstick coating, and pressed or molded in a shaped cookware or other nonstick items or component. Various cooking devices can be pressed from the material, as well as oven or vehicle components.

A sandwich crimper for producing a sealed sandwich from two slices of bread comprises a crimper base 10 with a substantially flat lower surface 12 and a crimper lid (30, FIG. 2) with a substantially flat upper surface (32, FIG. 2). A bottom set of peripheral crimping teeth 14a is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper base 20 and a top set of peripheral crimping teeth (34a, FIG. 2) is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper lid (40, FIG. 2). The teeth in each set of crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) are formed from protruding trapezoidal prisms and the top and bottom sets of crimping teeth (14a and 34a, FIG. 2) are complementary to each other along every edge of the crimper base 20 and crimper lid 40. A peripheral retaining wall 18 is disposed along the outer edge of the bottom set of crimper teeth 14a for aligning the bread relative to the crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) and restraining the sandwich during the crimping process. See FIG. 1.

A sandwich crimper for producing a sealed sandwich from two slices of bread comprises a crimper base 10 with a substantially flat lower surface 12 and a crimper lid (30, FIG. 2) with a substantially flat upper surface (32, FIG. 2). A bottom set of peripheral crimping teeth 14a is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper base 20 and a top set of peripheral crimping teeth (34a, FIG. 2) is disposed along the outer edge of the crimper lid (40, FIG. 2). The teeth in each set of crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) are formed from protruding trapezoidal prisms and the top and bottom sets of crimping teeth (14a and 34a, FIG. 2) are complementary to each other along every edge of the crimper base 20 and crimper lid 40. A peripheral retaining wall 18 is disposed along the outer edge of the bottom set of crimper teeth 14a for aligning the bread relative to the crimping teeth (14b and 34b, FIG. 2) and restraining the sandwich during the crimping process. See FIG. 1.

A cooking mold assembly for making shaped pancakes and other food items is disclosed and includes a main body portion with an outer peripheral wall for holding uncooked batter. The main body portion has at least one character opening for a character tile. The character tile and a front face of the main body portion define a pattern that is formed in the completed food item. The character tile may be exchanged to tailor the design formed in the food item as desired. A back surface of the main body portion includes a textured surface to inhibit sticking to a hot cooking surface.

A cooking mold assembly for making shaped pancakes and other food items is disclosed and includes a main body portion with an outer peripheral wall for holding uncooked batter. The main body portion has at least one character opening for a character tile. The character tile and a front face of the main body portion define a pattern that is formed in the completed food item. The character tile may be exchanged to tailor the design formed in the food item as desired. A back surface of the main body portion includes a textured surface to inhibit sticking to a hot cooking surface.

An apparatus and method for accelerating food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.

An apparatus and method for accelerating food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.