Abstract: A dispensing apparatus particularly suited for dispensing oil and oil-flour mixtures in the baking industry includes a hopper for holding a quantity of the liquid to be dispensed and a plurality of positive displacement piston pumps. Separate inlet passages extend from the hopper to each of the pumps. Separate outlet passages also extend from each of the pumps. A discharge nozzle manifold having a plurality of discharge nozzles is connected to the pumps by a removable and replaceable plate-like gasket. The gasket is provided with connecting passages for connecting selected ones of the nozzles with selected pump outlet passages and diverting flow from other pump outlet passages and returning it to the hopper. The arrangement thus allows the number and pattern of dispensing nozzles in operation to be changed merely by changing the gasket without deactivating or changing the setting of the individual pumps.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate material in a predetermined pattern over a subjacent surface. The apparatus includes an elongated hopper having a downwardly facing discharge mouth. A rotary dispensing shaft extends the length of the mouth. The shaft has a plurality of material receiving grooves formed to extend longitudinally thereof and sized to receive predetermined amounts of particulate material. Positioned about the shaft member and extending the length thereof is an elongated cylindrical sleeve which is mounted for selective rotation relative to the shaft with its exterior surface in sealing engagement with the mouth of the hopper. First and second circumferentially spaced, generally longitudinally extending openings are formed through the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a comparatively fine, particulate material uniformly over a subjacent surface. The disclosed apparatus comprises a hopper assembly adopted to be mounted over the surface. The hopper assembly has sides defining a downwardly open, horizontally extending, elongated discharge mouth. An elongated, cylindrical drum member extends the length of the mouth. Wiper blades extend from the sides of the hopper assembly into engagement with the drum. A multiplicity, of narrow, shallow grooves extend circumferentially about the drum. The grooves are sized such that the particulate material will not normally flow therethrough except upon rotation of the drum. For this reason structure is provided for selectively rotating the drum in at least a first direction to cause discharge of the particulate material. To produce uniform dispersion of the particulate material, divider-deflector members are associated with each groove.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus for applying icing to the vertical sides of a cylindrical cake. The disclosed apparatus comprises a vertically-extending nozzle having a narrow vertical outlet slot adapted to be opened and closed by an oscillated valve member. The outlet slot is closely spaced from a horizontal turntable driven at a selectively variable speed and adapted to rotate a cylindrical cake about its axis. Icing is supplied to the nozzle by a positive displacement pump. Control means are provided for simultaneously starting the pump and opening the valve member. The control means include an adjustable timer so that the time period of icing dispensing can be closely controlled.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose a manifold-type dispensing head assembly. The head assembly disclosed comprises an elongated main body adapted to be mounted horizontally and defining a longitudinally-extending main manifold chamber. A plurality of spaced discharge passages extend vertically downwardly from the main manifold chamber. Flow through the discharge passages is controlled by a first longitudinally-extending slide valve mounted in the lower surface of the main body. A dispensing outlet subassembly is releasably connected to the main body beneath the discharge passages. The subassembly includes a recess which extends longitudinally and defines a small secondary manifold chamber which receives flow from the discharge passages. Outlet or dispensing orifices extend downwardly from the secondary chamber at locations corresponding to the desired pattern of discharge. A second valve is carried in the subassembly. The second valve controls the final discharge from the dispensing orifices.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus for dispensing a fine dispersion of grease into the interior of baking pans. The disclosed apparatus comprises a continuous screen belt which moves above a conveyor on which the pans are traveling. Above one run of the belt is an air chamber from which high-velocity, short-duration air jets are directed downwardly through the screen. The air jets are laid out in a pattern generally corresponding to the shape of the interior of the baking pans. Additionally, a roller and hopper assembly is provided to apply a coating of grease to the mesh so that the air passing therethrough causes the grease to be dispersed into the pans.