Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking, imprinting or applying a pattern, design or mark to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from a sheet of food product is described. In one aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of supplying a sheet of food product, marking the plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product, and dividing, at least partially, the individual pieces of food product from the sheet of food product. In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus may generally include a support frame, a cutting plate, and a marking head. The cutting plate preferably includes a plurality of cutting openings and an engagement surface capable of supporting and positioning a sheet of food product. The cutting openings preferably correspond to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product.

Abstract: The leading edge of a sheet of dough product impacts an impacting feature and causes the leading edge to roll over onto itself thereby initiating a roll. Engagement enhancement is utilized to increased to increase the ability of the sheet of dough product to resist sliding upon impacting the impacting feature. This provides a tighter rolled dough product having a consistent size and shape. Thus, in accordance with one specific aspect of the present invention, rolled dough products for subsequent packaging into containers may be formed that have a repeatable size and shape. By providing rolled dough products having a repeatable size and shape a more efficient and economical process results. This is because the size and shape of the rolled dough product is controlled with respect to the size of the container.

Abstract: A frozen sauce delivery system provides a sauce for a frozen food product in the form of a plurality of frozen sauce chips. Depending on the type of sauce being provided, the sauce may be formed into one or more different types of chips. Each type of chip is formed from a mixture that may include a portion of the ingredients used to form the sauce. Each mixture is then apportioned and frozen as chips. The melting temperature of the chip ingredients can be formulated to be higher than the melting temperature of the overall sauce. A plurality of each type of sauce chip is then included in a package along with frozen food items to create the frozen food product. This frozen food product may then be prepared, preferably using heat, to form a finished food dish that includes heated food items coated in the heated sauce.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas flushing device that includes a piston portion having a hole to introduce the flushing gas. The present invention also includes a method for removing air from a container that stores food. The method includes providing the gas flushing device and aligning the device with the container. The method also includes moving the piston of the device into the container until the piston encounters a predetermined pressure. Next, the piston is retracted from the container while simultaneously releasing a fushing gas through the hole. Next, the piston is removed from the container and the container is sealed in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: An asphalt-based roofing product includes an asphalt-based substrate such as asphalt-saturated fiberglass or cellulose felt, a non-asphalt, thermoplastic, water-resistant adhesive on the surface of the asphalt-based substrate, and a plurality of roofing granules embedded in the asphalt such that the adhesive provides an interface between the asphalt and roofing granules. The adhesive is present in an amount sufficient to improve the adhesion of the roofing granules to the asphalt.

Abstract: A sensor system for use with a taping head of a box sealing machine includes a tape dispensing sensor and an box presence sensor. The tape dispensing sensor is positioned along the tape guide path of the taping head for determining whether tape is being dispensed from the taping head and for providing a positive response if tape is being dispensed. The box presence sensor is positioned on the taping head for detecting movement of an element of the taping head that reacts to the box being moved along the taping head and for providing a positive response if a box is present. A control system is provided and is connected to the tape dispensing sensor and the object presence sensor for determining a potential error condition if only one of the tape dispensing sensor and the object presence sensor provides a positive response. Preferably, three sensors are utilized in the sensor system. One senses tape dispensing, another senses a box presence, and yet another senses tape supply left on the roll.

Abstract: A portable manual tape dispensing apparatus for use for with a roll of stretchable adhesive tape. Preferably, the tape is of the type that progressively detackifies when stretched. The apparatus also preferably has a hub configured to be manually gripped by an operator. The hub includes a substantially annular surface with dimensions such that the annular surface can be slidably received within an interior of the roll of tape to securely hold the roll of tape. A stretching surface is connected to the hub so the operator may selectively orient the dispensing apparatus in either a stretching position or an unstretching position. The stretching surface contacts a portion of the tape when the apparatus is in the stretching position such that the operator can dispense the tape in a stretched detackified condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable dual advance dispenser for a supply of linered tape material having an adhesive tape mounted in separable strips on a release liner. The dispenser includes a frame for supporting a supply of linered tape material and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing desired portions of the linered tape. The dispensing apparatus includes a rotatable liner dispensing member which directs a portion of the liner in a different direction from the adhesive tape, a rotatable adhesive tape material dispensing apparatus for dispensing the adhesive tape, a separation member to separate the liner from the adhesive tape, and a drive transfer mechanism which causes interaction between the rotatable adhesive tape material dispensing apparatus and the rotatable liner dispensing member. If the user selects a first dispensing option, adhesive tape is pulled from the adhesive tape dispensing apparatus, and the liner is advanced through the liner dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: Specialized pouches for receiving, storing and controllably dispensing product are disclosed. The pouches are of a substantially lay-flat nature with a spout located along the top wall, preferably about mid-way. The spout is preferably made by a heat seal including an easy-opening feature. The pouches are further characterized by side seals, at least one end seal, and a fold line at the other end. Such pouches are advantageously designed for containing flowable product, including liquids, powders, sauces, gels, etc., and permit the controlled dispensing of such product after storage, preparation, or cooking within the pouches.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a length of adhesive tape from a supply of adhesive tape along the length of a leading edge of a roll of web material includes a cutting mechanism for cutting the length of web material to form a length of leading edge on the roll of web material. An application mechanism of the apparatus is configured to remove adhesive tape from the supply of adhesive tape and apply adhesive tape along a length of the leading edge of the web material. A take-up mechanism removes a liner from the adhesive tape during the application of the adhesive tape to the leading edge. A buffing mechanism contacts the adhesive tape applied along the length of the leading edge to insure contact between the adhesive tape and an outer layer portion of the roll of web material that is directly adjacent the leading edge. A cutoff mechanism cuts the adhesive tape to form the length of adhesive tape along the leading edge of the web material.

Abstract: A masking tape is provided that is suitable for insertion under many moldings and gaskets which not only masks the molding or gasket but also facilitates refinishing under at least a portion of the molding or gasket. The masking tape is constructed to include a longitudinal non-adhesive portion and a longitudinal adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive portion is stiffer than the adhesive portion and is sufficiently stiff to facilitate easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath at least a portion of the molding or gasket to be masked while the adhesive portion is sufficiently flexible to permit the wrapping thereof around the molding or gasket. The stiffened portion advantageously provides a dual purpose of facilitating the easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath the molding or gasket and creating a lever action during application between the molding or gasket and the wall or panel to which the molding or gasket is mounted.

Abstract: The mechanism of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention advantageously presents the tape or web material at an application point thereof for easy application of a leading edge of the tape or web material to an object as the dispenser and object are moved relative to one another. After a specific length of tape or web material is applied, the actuation of a single actuation element, by manipulation of a trigger or otherwise, completely severs the previous length of tape that has been applied to the object and then, only after the blade is sufficiently retracted out of the path of the tape or web material, an advancing means drives the tape or web material toward the application point so that it is presented for the next application.

Abstract: A process for improving the adhesion of roofing granules to a hot asphalt surface in the manufacture of a roofing product. Onto an asphalt-based substrate having a hot asphalt surface, an amount of a non-asphalt adhesive effective for improving adhesion of roofing granules to the hot asphalt surface is applied and then roofing granules are embedded on the hot asphalt surface. The non-asphalt adhesive can be composed of or include as a component one or more of polyolefins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-n-butylacrylate polymers, ethylene-methylacrylate polymers, styrene-containing block or graft copolymers, polyamide terpolymers, hydrocarbon rubbers, polyesters, polyurethanes, and siloxanes. The resulting roofing product includes an asphalt-based substrate with an asphalt surface having roofing granules imbedded thereon with a non-asphalt adhesive at the interface between the asphalt and roofing granules.

Abstract: An applicator assembly is provided for concurrently dispensing plural flowable component materials in a mixed state. Moreover, the applicator assembly is more versatile and is particularly useful when one or more additional components are to be concurrently dispensed with the basic two component materials. The applicator assembly permits dispensing of additives with basic two part mixtures, and allows the application of three or more part chemical systems. A multi-component applicator assembly is described which is convertible between different component number multi-component arrangements, and includes a barrel assembly having at least one barrel detachably connected to the other barrels, at least two of which are fixed to one another.

Abstract: A masking tape is provided that is suitable for insertion under many moldings and gaskets which not only masks the molding or gasket but also facilitates refinishing under at least a portion of the molding or gasket. The masking tape is constructed to include a longitudinal non-adhesive portion and a longitudinal adhesive portion, wherein the non-adhesive portion is stiffer than the adhesive portion and is sufficiently stiff to facilitate easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath at least a portion of the molding or gasket to be masked while the adhesive portion is sufficiently flexible to permit the wrapping thereof around the molding or gasket. The stiffened portion advantageously provides a dual purpose of facilitating the easy insertion of the non-adhesive portion beneath the molding or gasket and creating a lever action during application between the molding or gasket and the wall or panel to which the molding or gasket is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable manual tape dispensing apparatus for use with a stretchable adhesive tape such as of the type that progressively detackifies when stretched. The apparatus has a supply spool for carrying a supply of the tape and a handle connected to the supply spool for manually grasping and manipulating the apparatus. A mechanism for stretching the tape is arranged and configured to receive the tape from the supply spool. The stretching mechanism has a stretching zone defined between first and second engagement surfaces. The first and second engagement surfaces frictionally engage the tape and move at disparate longitudinal speeds to stretch the tape when the stretching mechanism is activated. A manually operative mechanism is provided for selectively activating the stretching mechanism so an operator can remove the tape from the supply in a substantially detackified stretched condition when the stretching mechanism is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for screening a product grade of particulate matter from a feed-stream of particulate matter is provided. Specifically, the apparatus is a vibration screening action machine which vibrates, including motion having a component thereof perpendicular to the plane of the screen deck, at least one screen deck having a mesh defining the lower limit of the product grade. Such vibration screening action machine is optimized for ensuring the throughput of particulate fines through the mesh defining the lower limit of the product grade and thus substantially removing particulate fines from the product grade by setting the screen deck at a relatively low angle, as measured from horizontal, of less than 15 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a machine for closing and sealing an article, such as a box or carton, as it is driven through the machine. Specifically, upper and lower taping heads are provided for applying lengths of tape to the bottoms and tops of the boxes. The upper box flaps are also preferably folded by the machine of the present invention by a folding mechanism including a ski for folding the leading minor flap, a kicker for folding the trailing minor flap, and shaped rods for folding the major side flaps after the minor flaps are folded. In accordance with the present invention, the upper head assembly is advantageously adjustably connected to the machine so that proper leveling of the upper taping head and the folding mechanism can be assured. Moreover, such adjustment can be redone at any time thereafter as needed as affected by working conditions over time.