Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing flowable material comprising a chamber housing that receives and deposits flowable material, a rotary valve shaft and a piston shaft inside the chamber housing, the piston shaft rotatable in synchronization with the rotary valve shaft, wherein the piston shaft and the rotary valve shaft form a volumetric pocket to receive the flowable material, wherein the piston shaft rotates between a position that expands the volumetric pocket to draw the flowable material into the volumetric pocket, and a position that compresses the volumetric pocket to urge flowable material from the volumetric pocket.

Abstract: A flow control nozzle for dispensing bakery mix material includes an elongated member having a flow channel formed therein. A cross member has a channel in flow communication with the flow channel of the elongated tubular member. A plunger having an actuating portion is slidably disposed in the cross member channel and is slidable between a flow blocking position to a position where material is allowed to flow from the tubular member outlet. A handle is positioned for contacting the actuating portion of the plunger to control plunger movement.

Abstract: The present invention, in one form thereof, is an ergonomically useful dispensing assembly including a short dispensing tube adapted to be coupled at its inlet to a mixing bowl outlet. The outlet of the dispensing tube is coupled, for example, to a nozzle. A piston disposed within the tube has seals, such as O-rings which are sized to contact the interior surface of the dispensing tube along the length of the tube as the piston moves within the tube. The piston is constructed so that as the piston travels within the tube and from the tube inlet to the tube outlet, mix is forced through the outlet and mix is drawn into the tube through the tube inlet. As the piston travels from the tube outlet to the tube inlet, mix disposed within the tube travels through the piston. A check valve disposed adjacent the bowl outlet prevents backflow of mix from the tube into the bowl. The dispensing tube piston is driven by a dual piston-cylinder drive unit. The stroke length of the dual pistons is controllable.