| abstract |
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for processing foodstuffs. The apparatus comprises a housing that is divided into three chambers, one above the other. The lower chamber is the processing chamber, the upper chamber is the air and/or smoke distribution chamber, and the intermediate chamber is a plenum chamber. Suitable openings interconnect the several chambers, and an air inlet extends from a point externally of the housing to the intermediate plenum chamber. An air outlet and heating means are disposed in the distribution chamber, while means for supplying smoke extend from a point externally of the housing to the processing chamber. A blower is mounted in the distribution chamber and is driven in such manner as to withdraw air and/or smoke from the processing chamber and air from the plenum chamber to the distribution chamber for eventual recycling to the processing chamber, or to the air outlet. The opening interconnecting the plenum chamber and the processing chamber is provided with a variable slot arrangement including an inverted volute and a hollow truncated cone, with the combination of said volute and truncated cone being effective to ensure a uniform distribution of air and/or smoke within the processing chamber. The uniform distribution of flow within the processing chamber is required to ensure the uniform cooking and/or smoking of all of the foodstuff products disposed in the processing chamber. |