Abstract: A food topping dispenser includes a hopper having a pair of sidewalls, a back wall and a front wall defining an open unobstructed interior sized to receive a supply of food topping. An application roller is positioned in a discharge opening of the hopper and is rotatably mounted in and between the sidewalls. The application roller has an exterior surface configured to receive and retain the food topping from the discharge opening. A wiper element is mounted on a lower end of the back wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening, and is positioned above the application roller for engagement with the food topping received from the discharge opening. A stripping brush element is mounted on a lower end of the front wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening for engagement with the exterior surface of the application roller for removing food topping retained therein.

Abstract: A food topping dispenser includes a hopper having a pair of sidewalls, a back wall and a front wall defining an open unobstructed interior sized to receive a supply of food topping. An application roller is positioned in a discharge opening of the hopper and is rotatably mounted in and between the sidewalls. The application roller has an exterior surface configured to receive and retain the food topping from the discharge opening. A wiper element is mounted on a lower end of the back wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening, and is positioned above the application roller for engagement with the food topping received from the discharge opening. A stripping brush element is mounted on a lower end of the front wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening for engagement with the exterior surface of the application roller for removing food topping retained therein.

Abstract: A food topping device for dispensing a food toppings. The food topping device includes a hopper that receives a food topping. The hopper directs the supply of the food topping onto the base plate of a discharge pan. The angle of the discharge pan relative to horizontal can be selectively adjusted. A vibration device is coupled to the discharge pan. When the vibration device is activated, the vibration of the discharge pan helps the food topping to overcome the angle of repose and flow down the base plate toward a discharge end. A screen positioned at the discharge end of the discharge pan further controls the flow of food topping from the device. The angle of the screen can be adjusted to control the discharge rate. A flow plate is positioned between the hopper and the discharge end to further control the amount of topping reaching the discharge end.

Abstract: A tray denester for separating individual trays from a stack. The tray denester includes a product carrier plate that is movable toward and away from the discharge end of a product magazine. The product carrier plate includes a pair of air nozzle assemblies. As the product carrier plate moves toward the discharge end of the magazine, the air nozzle assemblies are activated to create a low-pressure zone along the product carrier plate. When the product carrier plate reaches the discharge end, an escapement mechanism releases the stack of trays. As the stack of trays is released, the low-pressure zone separates one of the trays from the stack. The separated tray contacts the product carrier plate and is removed from the stack. Each of the air nozzle assemblies is adjustable along the product carrier plate to vary the position of the air nozzle assemblies based upon the specific tray design.