Abstract: A method and system for correcting mass flow rate measurements relating to a conveyor used to move a stream of first component material portions to and through a mixing station in which a second component material is dispensed in a predetermined mass percentage of the mass of the first component material portions. The correction of the measurements is adapted to correct for inaccuracies that arise in the measurements due to, for example, differences in the first component material portions properties, differences in the second component material properties, environmental conditions, drift of electronic instruments, and changing conditions that occur during extended use of an upstream conveyor that delivers first component material portions to the mixing station.

Abstract: A method of controlling an upstream and a downstream process wherein the upstream process conditions a stream of product delivered to the downstream process is provided. The control method uses an empirically determined formula to determine a metric for adjusting the activity of the upstream process to thereby adjust the rate with which the upstream process conditions and feeds a stream of conditioned product to the downstream process. The empirically determined formula determines the metric using two input variables: a duty cycle setting of the upstream process and an output rate of the downstream process expressed as a decimal amount of the output rate set-point.

Abstract: A distribution conveyor having a proximal and a distal ends, a first and a second sides and one or more adjustable side-discharging flow control valves between the proximal and distal ends, and a recirculation conveyor having a proximal end, proximal to the distal end of the distribution conveyor, and a distal end proximal a redeposit section of the distribution conveyor, wherein the valves can discharge a portion of a source stream of product from the distribution conveyor to a receiving structure underneath each valve, wherein the distal end of the recirculation conveyor is positioned to recirculate a tail stream from the distal end of the distribution conveyor to a redeposit section of the recirculating conveyor, and wherein the distal end of the recirculation conveyor is positioned to return the tail stream to the distribution conveyor laterally offset to a centerline of the distribution conveyor for preferential discharge in the valve(s).

Abstract: A method of controlling an upstream and a downstream process wherein the upstream process conditions a stream of product delivered to the downstream process is provided. The control method uses an empirically determined formula to determine a metric for adjusting the activity of the upstream process to thereby adjust the rate with which the upstream process conditions and feeds a stream of conditioned product to the downstream process. The empirically determined formula determines the metric using two input variables: a duty cycle setting of the upstream process and an output rate of the downstream process expressed as a decimal amount of the output rate set-point.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) is provided for moving goods, including a tray (12) having a tray floor (14) supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor (16) is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples (20) each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface (22) of the tray floor. Each dimple (20) includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion (24) for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion (26) extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) is provided for moving goods, including a tray (12) having a tray floor (14) supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor (16) is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples (20) each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface (22) of the tray floor. Each dimple (20) includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion (24) for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion (26) extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved tumble drum is provided for mixing one food product with another food product, and includes a rotating tumble drum for rotating the products about a drum axis of rotation, with the drum having a product input in one end and a product output in an axial opposing end. A tumble drive motor rotates the tumble drum. Another drive mechanism reciprocates the tumble drum linearly in a direction aligned with the axis of rotation. The product is discharged from the axial opposing end of the tumble drum. A product tray is providing for inputting food product to the tumble drum, and the rotating tumble drum may be fixed to the product tray such that the drive mechanism linearly rotates both the tumble drum and the product tray in a slow forward/backward manner.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10,11,13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112,114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: A discharge gate mechanism or structure for proportioning a volume of goods between two flow streams. The gate discharge structure includes a one-piece tube 22 having a gate discharge opening 92 therein. A feed trough 20 is connected to tube 22 for reciprocal simultaneous movement with tube 22 for moving the goods along trough 20 and tube 22. A motor 86 is effective to rotate tube 22 and opening 92 therein relative to feed trough 20 to position discharge opening 92 at a desired location for controlling the discharge of goods between two flow streams.

Abstract: An improved seasoning system 10, 11, 13 uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors 26, 34, 108 and 110. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum 36 or a deflector 98 and a second seasoning unit 112, 114 between linear conveyors 94, 96. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum 16 which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray 14. An improved seasoning tray 123, 144, 148 has a planar floor 122, 138, 162 with an angled discharge edge 124, 137, 182 for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Abstract: A conveyor 10 includes a cyclically powered drive mechanism 24 for moving products along an elongate tray 12 in a forward direction. The tray 12 includes a substantially planar floor 14 for supporting product thereon and tray side 16, 18 on opposing transverse sides of the tray floor. A flow leveler 40, 54, 80, 90 is positioned along the tray floor and normalizes the flow of product moving along the tray. In its preferred embodiment, the flow leveler includes a plurality of elongate ramp members 82, 92 laterally spaced between the tray sides, and optionally arranged in staggered rows. The flow leveler may include a planar leveler floor 48 for positioning within a cutout in the tray floor and a plurality of securing members 42 for movably securing the leveler floor to the tray. The inclined ramp surface of the leveler is preferably angled up to 25° to 45°. The flow leveler is particularly well suited for leveling the flow rate of irregularly shaped snack goods conveyed along the linear motion conveyor.