Abstract: A system for preparing food product minimizes bacterial contamination and outgrowth within the packaged food product, includes a powered slicer to sequentially separate slices of food product to create a stack of food product slices. The system also includes a first spray nozzle for depositing a first predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation onto the first face of the log or other food product piece each time a slice is removed as well as a a second spray nozzle for depositing a second predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation into a vacuum pouch prior to reception of a stack within the pouch. In an embodiment, the spray system is implemented with respect to a mixer/blender to pretreat a mix prior to further processing.

Abstract: A liquid adhesive dispensing system operable for more uniformly applying liquid adhesive foam onto moving substrates, notwithstanding changes in line speed, adhesive liquid flow rates, or foaming/atomizing air pressures. The illustrated liquid adhesive system includes a header having a plurality of air atomizing spray guns; the spray guns each having a respective variable speed positive displacement pump for directing a metered quantity of liquid adhesive from a liquid adhesive supply to the respective spray gun; and a control for controlling the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps in relation to the speed of the moving substrate and the foaming/atomizing air pressure to the spray guns in relation to the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps. The control further is operable for monitoring pressures across the positive displacement pumps for insuring the accurate direction of metered quantities of liquid to the spray guns.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing gun for repeatedly dispensing precisely metered quantities of liquid from a pressurized source. The gun comprises a hollow body having a valve chamber and a metering chamber connected thereto by a control orifice. An axially slidable valve spool in the valve chamber and a trigger operated actuating plunger serve to govern the reciprocation of a metering piston in the metering chamber and the admission and discharge of metered quantities of liquid to and from the metering chamber.

Abstract: The invention comprises a quick disconnect nozzle including a nozzle body and a nozzle tip, wherein the nozzle body may be connected to a source of fluid and the nozzle tip is separable from the body by a single twist type action, yet the nozzle may be securely locked in the body by an interlocking engagement between the nozzle and body that is engaged and disengaged by relative twisting of the two parts. The locking action is obtained by the engagement of cooperative elements on the two parts including oppositely disposed undercut shoulders on the nozzle body and a pair of rounded projections on the nozzle tip which are engaged under the opposing shoulders by the relative twisting action. The interlocked relationship is maintained by a combination sealing member and pressure device that effectively seals the connection between the nozzle body and tip and exerts pressure therebetween to secure the locked connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nozzle having a restriction in the form of an insert comprised of a pre-metering orifice in the nozzle that causes the emerging stream to flare out and impinge on the nozzle side walls and create turbulence to flood the nozzle and achieve a predetermined spray pattern. The premetering insert is formed to provide a non-uniform orifice length and is installed immediately ahead of the nozzle to reduce the velocity of the stream without disrupting the spraying performance of the nozzle and one or both parts are made from a plastic material such as nylon.

Abstract: The invention comprises an atomizing spray nozzle having an expansion chamber containing an impingement plate, or table and wherein a flow of liquid is introduced as a high velocity stream which strikes the impingement table and breaks up into finely atomized particles which are struck by a high velocity air stream in a direction at an angle to the direction of the liquid stream to further atomize the liquid particles as the mixture atomizes adjacent the impingement table and passes into a mixing area in the barrel of the nozzle. The nozzle includes a jet forming inlet for the liquid aimed from one side of the nozzle at the impingement table in the expansion chamber, an air inlet orifice member secured in one end of the nozzle at an angle to the liquid inlet and at one side of the expansion chamber with the nozzle barrel at the downstream side of the expansion chamber and an exit orifice member secured in the open discharge end of the barrel.

Abstract: The invention comprises an atomizing spray nozzle containing multiple restrictions to the flow of an air and water mixture through the nozzle created by contours in the stem in relation to the orifice and having a whirl chamber in the nozzle body where injected air induces disturbances in the liquid to create effective atomization prior to the first restriction which creates a negative pressure beyond the restriction and which is repeated at additional restrictions thus resulting in a repeated depressurization and sudden expansion to obtain a finely atomized mixture before reaching the orifice, with a final restriction at an outlet that may take the form for a flat spray or one for a narrow round spray.