Small conveyor toaster/oven

Abstract

A plurality of small, low cost conveyor toaster/ovens can be stacked with substantially no physical spacing required between the units. In part the stackability results from a blower/fan that drives cooling air through a common plenum surrounding the conveyor. The cooling air is sucked into one side of the unit and then divided between the lower motor compartment and the upper air plenum flowing over the top and bottom of the oven. The air is then recombined to cool the rear compartment and exits the unit via several vents in the back and opposite side of the oven. A control panel enables the user to pre-select different menu schedules which can be modified, as required. Each selection is identified by a single digit on a key pad in the control panel. The actual temperature within the toaster/oven is sensed by a thermocouple in contact with the heater element sheath. The control converts the stored data via a mathematical function and in response to temperatures sensed on the heater. In order to provide both toasting and hearth baking the conveyor may be equipped with either of two types of endless belts, one being a tightly woven herringbone belting material that hearth bakes the food product. The other type of endless belt is made of an open wire link belting material.