Abstract: An apparatus for separating a ribbon of uncooked embossed dough into separated pieces patterned/shaped like the embossed pattern. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart rollers for receiving a ribbon of dough there between. One of rollers has a pattern embossed on its surface to emboss the ribbon of dough with the pattern. The surface embossing and the spacing between the rollers maintains the structural integrity of the embossed ribbon of dough. The apparatus has a two spaced apart rotating arms to receive the embossed dough ribbon there between. A plurality of spaced apart fingers extend outward along the length of each of the arms and are configured to tear the dough, without sticking, into dough pieces reflecting shapes embossed in the dough ribbon. The dough pieces can be dried, and patterned shaped pieces are separated out for expansion to three dimensions by cooking.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a ribbon of uncooked embossed dough into separated pieces patterned/shaped like the embossed pattern. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart rollers for receiving a ribbon of dough there between. One of rollers has a pattern embossed on its surface to emboss the ribbon of dough with the pattern. The surface embossing and the spacing between the rollers maintains the structural integrity of the embossed ribbon of dough. The apparatus has a two spaced apart rotating arms to receive the embossed dough ribbon there between. A plurality of spaced apart fingers extend outward along the length of each of the arms and are configured to tear the dough, without sticking, into dough pieces reflecting shapes embossed in the dough ribbon. The dough pieces can be dried, and patterned shaped pieces are separated out for expansion to three dimensions by cooking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a controlled, uniform distribution of seasoning onto snack food products such as potato chips or tortilla chips using an adjustable, segmented seasoning distribution tube adaptable to an existing product line. The tube comprises a base member attached at one end to the delivery device of the seasoning distribution system and at least two segments attached in succession to the base member. Each segment has an opening along the length of the segment, which may be adjusted above or below the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A method for reducing product breakage while filling a product into a package and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes reducing the momentum of product falling through a filling apparatus to reduce collisions of the product with other product and with the apparatus, thus reducing breakage. The vertical momentum, in one embodiment is transferred to horizontal momentum by imparting a swirling motion onto the product via swirling vanes located on the funnels. Because the product swirls in a controlled direction, collisions and breakage is effectively reduced. In another embodiment, the product encounters bumpers which absorb a portion of the products momentum and which prevent damaging collisions.