A method of operating an oven to cook a food product that includes changing a heat setting of a heating element of the oven, selecting a cook time for the food product in the oven, driving a heating element of the oven at a heat power input based on the heat setting, predicting a cooking ability of the oven by calculating an estimated temperature in the oven using a formula that is a function of a heat power input during a previous time period, and modifying the cook time to a modified cook time based on the estimated temperature that was calculated using the formula.

A method of operating an oven to cook a food product that includes changing a heat setting of a heating element of the oven, selecting a cook time for the food product in the oven, driving a heating element of the oven at a heat power input based on the heat setting, predicting a cooking ability of the oven by calculating an estimated temperature in the oven using a formula that is a function of a heat power input during a previous time period, and modifying the cook time to a modified cook time based on the estimated temperature that was calculated using the formula.

The invention concerns a conveyor (1) for a continuous baking oven (10), wherein the conveyor (1) is of the closed-ring type and comprises an outer surface (2) and an inner surface (3), and wherein the conveyor (1) is equipped with a plurality of seats (4) intended to receive a food product to be cooked, wherein the seats of the plurality of seats have respective mouths (5) essentially open at the level of the outer surface (2) of the conveyor.

The invention concerns a conveyor (1) for a continuous baking oven (10), wherein the conveyor (1) is of the closed-ring type and comprises an outer surface (2) and an inner surface (3), and wherein the conveyor (1) is equipped with a plurality of seats (4) intended to receive a food product to be cooked, wherein the seats of the plurality of seats have respective mouths (5) essentially open at the level of the outer surface (2) of the conveyor.

A linear fixed shaft drive assembly for use in a self-stacking industrial/commercial-grade spiral/gyro oven or freezer that includes a fixed, non-rotatable shaft having a cylindrical mounting portion, a bearing cup supported by the mounting portion, and a hub and shaft base that includes a shaft portion and flange portion. The flange portion is configured to couple to a first side of a flange extending from the bearing cup. A sprocket is mounted to an opposite second side of the flange extending from the bearing cup. The sprocket includes teeth configured to engage with a ball chain assembly of the oven or freezer. The bearing cup includes at least two permanently lubricated bearings. Rotation of the shaft portion of the hub and shaft base causes the bearing cup and sprocket to rotate on the mounting portion of the fixed, non-rotatable shaft. Also a method for retrofitting an oven or freezer having an existing shaft assembly mounted within a thermal chamber of the oven or freezer, and a method for servicing an oven or freezer having an existing linear fixed shaft drive assembly.

A linear fixed shaft drive assembly for use in a self-stacking industrial/commercial-grade spiral/gyro oven or freezer that includes a fixed, non-rotatable shaft having a cylindrical mounting portion, a bearing cup supported by the mounting portion, and a hub and shaft base that includes a shaft portion and flange portion. The flange portion is configured to couple to a first side of a flange extending from the bearing cup. A sprocket is mounted to an opposite second side of the flange extending from the bearing cup. The sprocket includes teeth configured to engage with a ball chain assembly of the oven or freezer. The bearing cup includes at least two permanently lubricated bearings. Rotation of the shaft portion of the hub and shaft base causes the bearing cup and sprocket to rotate on the mounting portion of the fixed, non-rotatable shaft. Also a method for retrofitting an oven or freezer having an existing shaft assembly mounted within a thermal chamber of the oven or freezer, and a method for servicing an oven or freezer having an existing linear fixed shaft drive assembly.

A multi-section conveyor assembly for moving food products through an oven enclosure for cooking is disclosed. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section and a third conveyor section each of which have a separate conveyor belt. The first and second conveyor sections are linked to each other by a first gear box while the second and third conveyor sections are linked to each other with a second gear box. The first and second gear boxes allow a single drive motor to rotate a driven shaft of one of the conveyor sections. The rotation of the driven shaft is transferred between the conveyor sections through the first and second gear boxes. The first and second gear boxes can be quickly and easily removed from the conveyor assembly for ease of disassembly and cleaning.

A multi-section conveyor assembly for moving food products through an oven enclosure for cooking is disclosed. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section and a third conveyor section each of which have a separate conveyor belt. The first and second conveyor sections are linked to each other by a first gear box while the second and third conveyor sections are linked to each other with a second gear box. The first and second gear boxes allow a single drive motor to rotate a driven shaft of one of the conveyor sections. The rotation of the driven shaft is transferred between the conveyor sections through the first and second gear boxes. The first and second gear boxes can be quickly and easily removed from the conveyor assembly for ease of disassembly and cleaning.

A conveyor oven for cooking food and having an oven chamber in which food is cooked; a conveyor moveable to convey food within the oven chamber; a burner assembly operable to emit a flame to heat air for cooking food moving within the oven chamber on the conveyor; a burner tube extending into a compartment and positioned to receive at least a portion of the flame emitted by the burner assembly; and one or more passive tubes in the compartment positioned opposite the burner tube, wherein elongated baffles are located between adjacent passive tubes, wherein a baffle plate is located between the burner and passive tubes to restrict airflow from the burner tube to the passive tube, and/or wherein shelf assemblies in the oven enable movement (and in some cases removal) of a shelf with a corresponding fan and/or motor without disturbing other shelves and their corresponding fans and/or motors.

A conveyor oven for cooking food and having an oven chamber in which food is cooked; a conveyor moveable to convey food within the oven chamber; a burner assembly operable to emit a flame to heat air for cooking food moving within the oven chamber on the conveyor; a burner tube extending into a compartment and positioned to receive at least a portion of the flame emitted by the burner assembly; and one or more passive tubes in the compartment positioned opposite the burner tube, wherein elongated baffles are located between adjacent passive tubes, wherein a baffle plate is located between the burner and passive tubes to restrict airflow from the burner tube to the passive tube, and/or wherein shelf assemblies in the oven enable movement (and in some cases removal) of a shelf with a corresponding fan and/or motor without disturbing other shelves and their corresponding fans and/or motors.