Abstract: A material feeder for dispensing batches of material which includes a refrigerated enclosure, a material feeder, a feeder drive arrangement, a scale and a controller. The feeder is housed within the refrigerated enclosure, and is removably coupled to the drive arrangement such that the complete feeder arrangement which is exposed to the material (e.g., foodstuffs such as shredded cheese) may be removed from the enclosure for cleaning at a location separate from the enclosure such as a dishwasher. The scale is connected to a container which catches the material dispensed by the feeder and produces a weight signal such is applied to the control unit. The control unit operates the drive unit which rotates a plurality of feed screws in the feeder at two speeds.

Abstract: A feed hopper assembly for feeding granular material to a feed screw in the bottom of the hopper, the assembly including a frame for supporting a flexible type feed hopper, one or more roller assemblies mounted on the frame in a position to engage the sides of the feed hopper, each roller assembly including a shaft and a tube mounted for rotary motion on the shaft, the shaft being eccentrically mounted on the frame to move the tube into and out of engagement with the hopper.