A conveyor baking oven for continuous baking operation has at least two conveyor baking spaces. A plurality of oven modules of the baking oven have baking spaces, which combine to form the conveyor baking spaces between a respective initial oven module arranged in a leading manner when seen in the bakery product conveying direction, and a respective final oven module, which is the last in row when seen in the bakery product conveying direction. The oven modules have a multi-level arrangement such as to define the at least two conveyor baking spaces. A bakery product conveyor device is used to continuously convey bakery products through the conveyor baking spaces. A thermal oil heating device having at least one thermal oil heat exchanger is used to heat the conveyor baking spaces by radiant heat. The resulting conveyor baking oven is operable efficiently and adaptable to various throughput requirements.

A conveyor baking oven for continuous baking operation has at least two conveyor baking spaces. A plurality of oven modules of the baking oven have baking spaces, which combine to form the conveyor baking spaces between a respective initial oven module arranged in a leading manner when seen in the bakery product conveying direction, and a respective final oven module, which is the last in row when seen in the bakery product conveying direction. The oven modules have a multi-level arrangement such as to define the at least two conveyor baking spaces. A bakery product conveyor device is used to continuously convey bakery products through the conveyor baking spaces. A thermal oil heating device having at least one thermal oil heat exchanger is used to heat the conveyor baking spaces by radiant heat. The resulting conveyor baking oven is operable efficiently and adaptable to various throughput requirements.

An endless conveyor belt for a conveyor baking oven has a conveyor run with a plurality of belt links configured in one piece, the belt links extending transversely to a conveying direction and being mounted between lateral guides. Seen in projection in a plane perpendicular to a conveying plane, each of the belt links has gas passage openings. These gas passage openings have a total opening surface area, which amounts to at least 30% of a total surface area of the projection of the belt link. The result is an endless conveyor belt, which allows a baking space of a conveyor baking oven equipped with an endless conveyor belt of this type to be heated more efficiently and flexibly.

An endless conveyor belt for a conveyor baking oven has a conveyor run with a plurality of belt links configured in one piece, the belt links extending transversely to a conveying direction and being mounted between lateral guides. Seen in projection in a plane perpendicular to a conveying plane, each of the belt links has gas passage openings. These gas passage openings have a total opening surface area, which amounts to at least 30% of a total surface area of the projection of the belt link. The result is an endless conveyor belt, which allows a baking space of a conveyor baking oven equipped with an endless conveyor belt of this type to be heated more efficiently and flexibly.

The efficiency of a device for cooling or heating objects on a belt that moves through a path of a helix, in which gaseous cooling or heating medium is circulated within the device, is improved by positioning fans that circulate the cooling or heating medium so that the fans are distanced from the top of the helix.

A heating furnace includes a target space (212a) in which a burning target is disposed, and a furnace main body (212) that surrounds the target space. The heating furnace includes one or more closed gas heaters having an introduction hole configured to introduce a fuel gas into the main body, a combustion chamber in which the introduced fuel gas is combusted, a discharge section to which an exhaust gas generated by combustion is guided, a radiation surface heated by the exhaust gas flowing through the discharge section or combustion in the combustion chamber and configured to transfer radiant heat to the burning target, and an exhaust hole configured to exhaust the exhaust gas that heats the radiation surface to the outside of the main body, and disposed in the furnace main body, and an exhaust heat transfer section (an insulated pipe (222a)) in communication with the exhaust hole of the closed gas heater and to which the exhaust gas is guided. In addition, the exhaust heat transfer section is installed at any portion in the furnace main body except for a radiation space (212b) formed between the closed gas heater and the burning target disposed in the target space and configured to transfer the radiant heat to the burning target.

A baking apparatus produces endless strips of preferably liquid baking compounds on a baking surface carrier circulating in a machine frame, being heated at least in sections and transporting at least one endless baking surface through at least one baking zone disposed in a stationary manner in the machine frame. The baking zone contains a heating apparatus and extends from a baking compound application device as far as a strip removal apparatus. A rotatably mounted and driven hubless drum is provided as the circulating heated baking surface carrier. A follower roller is disposed pivotably about a steering axle and rolls on a rolling surface of the drum in a contact region. A tracking distance is provided between a point of intersection of the steering axle with the rolling surface and the contact region.

A baking apparatus produces endless strips of preferably liquid baking compounds on a baking surface carrier circulating in a machine frame, being heated at least in sections and transporting at least one endless baking surface through at least one baking zone disposed in a stationary manner in the machine frame. The baking zone contains a heating apparatus and extends from a baking compound application device as far as a strip removal apparatus. A rotatably mounted and driven hubless drum is provided as the circulating heated baking surface carrier. A follower roller is disposed pivotably about a steering axle and rolls on a rolling surface of the drum in a contact region. A tracking distance is provided between a point of intersection of the steering axle with the rolling surface and the contact region.

A flying system for flying a food product is disclosed having an endless conveyor system for cooking product in a bath of hot cooking oil. An upper conveyor belt of the conveyor system includes a plurality of protrusions on the surface that retains the food items with a lower conveyor belt. The protrusions may be formed by bars or rods that may be integrally formed with a fluid pervious surface forming the belt. Also, a process of cooking food items with an endless conveyor system.

A conveyor oven for cooking food includes an oven housing defining an oven chamber in which the food is cooked. A conveyor is operable to convey the food through the oven chamber. An opening is defined in an end of the oven chamber, a portion of the conveyor extending through a first portion of the opening. A second portion of the opening below the conveyor is closed by a removable end plug. The removable end plug is configured to pivot into a closed position while an upper edge of the removable end plug is received in a pocket formed at the end of the oven chamber by the oven housing and/or at least one stationary portion of the conveyor.