Abstract: In a method for forming a layer of coating material, a conveyor having a conveying part which is pervious to the coating material is used. This coating material is displaced on the conveying part over a guide plate into a coating zone. At the end of a coating zone, excess coating material is returned using a return part of a conveyor. To form a layer of coating material on the conveying part, the coating material is moved from the return part through the conveying part onto the conveying part.

Abstract: A machine for applying sauce to a pizza crust rapidly and accurately. The crust is placed on a turntable, is centered by stationary platforms having terraced surfaces, and the turntable raises the crust to beneath a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are mounted to cylinder blocks in which cylindrical cavities are formed. Pistons are slidably mounted in the cavities, and are drivingly linked to a linear prime mover to be displaced upwardly and downwardly to pump sauce into and out of the cavities. Check valves control the flow of sauce from the source of sauce to the crust through the nozzles. The pistons are selectively linked to the linear prime mover for reducing the area onto which the sauce is dispensed, for accommodating smaller and larger pizza crusts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating hams is provided. Sugar is uniformly dispensed on an inclined plate that is heated to melt the sugar. The sugar flows into a reservoir from which it is poured onto hams passing below the reservoir on a conveyor. Spices are poured onto the melted sugar that sticks to the ham to form a glaze. Jets of water can cool the glaze to increase retention on the ham. The process can be repeated.

Abstract: A mobile table for batter dipping and breading food products such as chicken pieces, shrimp, fish pieces and other food products prior to cooking such as by deep frying. The table includes a batter pan and a breading pan oriented adjacent to each other and supported in a table top. A self-contained refrigeration system is provided in a cabinet underneath the table top to cool the batter pan, the breading pan and to chill water in a refrigerated water reservoir to supply prechilled water to the batter pan. The refrigeration system maintains the batter material in the batter pan and breading material in the breading pan at a temperature to retard or substantially reduce bacteria growth.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a coating apparatus for coating articles with chocolate masses and the like with hot water includes the steps of: filling water into a tub of the coating apparatus, wherein the coating apparatus includes a driven grating conveyer belt for receiving the articles to be coated including an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the coating apparatus includes at least one aggregate being arranged in the upper region of the tub; pumping water out of the tub with at least one pump; and directing the substantially unpressurized water onto the grating conveyer belt and onto the at least one aggregate to be cleaned, the water having a temperature being higher than the melting temperature of the mass, the water flowing over the grating conveyer belt and the at least one aggregate and back into the tub in a substantially unpressurized manner.

Abstract: A food product breading machine having a battering unit supported by a breading unit. A battering unit conveyor system delivers food products to the breading unit. The breading unit has a breading reservoir, a breading station and a breading unit conveyor system. The battering unit conveyor system propels the food products in a generally horizontal direction to the breading unit. The breading unit conveyor system propels food products toward the breading station in a generally opposite direction. The breading unit conveyor system has first and second sections, one adjacent and below the battering unit conveyor end that conveys food products downwardly and horizontally toward the breading station, the other delivering food products from the first section through the breading station and discharging the breaded products. The second section has two tiers with breaded products from the first tier falling onto the second tier before being discharged from the machine.

Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the food material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed and claimed for coating egg-yolks, natural or artificial, preferably in the form of disks. The apparatuses comprise a vessel for containing a first coating liquid, in which the egg yolk disks are dispensed. A preferably continuous belt is synchronized with the dispenser so that the back part of the belt is immersed in the liquid when the egg-yolk is being dispensed, while it rises during the period of time that the dispenser is getting ready to dispense a new egg-yolk, thus transferring the yolk out of the liquid. The belt has preferably perforations in its middle portion and it is pivoted in the vicinity of the front end of the vessel. The apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg-yolk disks.

Abstract: A method for applying and embedding dry toppings to both rolled and biscuit-like dough products and the resulting dough piece of the method. The method includes applying dry toppings on the surface of the dough product in a sheeting line. Then, the roll pairs in the sheeting line embed the dry toppings into the surface of the dough product.

Abstract: Sequential pieces of bakery dough are floured using a moving belt positioned beneath an elongated flour dispensing mechanism. The belt runs through a stationary guide that transiently forms the belt into a tubular enclosure which embraces the dough pieces, thereby producing a more complete flour coating on the pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for depositing a viscous flowable mass to coat or decorate the surface of a product. The apparatus has a linearly moveable manifold assembly with at least one nozzle for depositing the viscous material on the surface of a product passing beneath the nozzle, a counterbalance eccentric drive system, and a linear motion assembly connected to the drive system and manifold assembly. At least one of the assembly and nozzle is heat traced and controlled so as to maintain the temperature of the viscous material in a range such that the material is flowable. By changing at least one of (a) the speed of the moving manifold assembly, (b) the speed of the product under the nozzle, and (c) the stroke length, the product surface can be ornamented in a variety of ways. The apparatus is particularly useful for decorating a food product with icing.

Abstract: Syrup spray systems for producing frozen dessert cones include a manifold block defining a bore therethrough. At least one nozzle assembly is provided in fluid communication with the bore of the manifold block and having an actuator stem reciprocally movable between an inoperative condition (in which liquid syrup in the bore is prevented from being sprayed into an awaiting cone), and an operative condition (in which liquid syrup in the bore is sprayed into an awaiting cone). A control cylinder moves the actuator stem between the operative and inoperative conditions and is coupled removably to the actuator stem. In such a manner, the manifold block and the at least one nozzle assembly thereof may easily be removed from the control cylinder to permit repair and/or replacement thereof.

Abstract: It is made up of a frame upon which travel trays that carry the fish to be seasoned with a given quantity of high salt content product, the system used to distribute this product consisting of a storage tank out of which falls the product upon a distribution hopper through a passage, being arranged inside the hopper a rotating roller with slots for the carriage of the seasoning product, which falls through the lower passage upon the fish arranged on the trays, being the profile of the slots similar to that of the fish that are located below on a tray in correspondence with the position of the slots, being the rotation speed of the driving motor used to actuate the roller determined by the weight of the trays containing the fish.

Abstract: A method of coating substrates of medicinal products with a dry powder includes the following steps: feeding the medicinal substrates onto a conveying belt (1); supplying the dry powder to a region (5) through which the substrates are to be conveyed; conveying the medicinal substrates on the conveying belt (1) through the region (5) with the conveying belt and/or the substrates maintained at a different electric potential from the dry powder, whereby the dry powder is attracted to the exposed surfaces of the substrates but is unable to reach the coated surfaces of the substrates in contact with the conveying belt, and treating the dry powder coatings to convert the powder into a fused film secured to the substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying substances for coating articles of ice confectionery has a conveyor having an endless belt for transporting articles, and a refrigeration table is positioned below an upper run of the belt for cooling the upper run. A unit is provided for coating articles of ice confectionery with a fatty material and transporting the fatty-coated articles to the belt upper run. A unit for delivering particulate material is positioned above the endless belt upper run for delivering the material towards a position on the upper run above the refrigeration table for covering upper and side surfaces of articles transported on the upper run for forming a bed of particulate material about the articles for obtaining articles which are coated with particulate material and positioned within the bed. A further unit is positioned for separating particulate material of the bed from the coated articles and for recycling the separated particulate material.

Abstract: A plate which is adjustable is positioned in an apparatus for coating a foodstuff with particulate material to control an amount of particulate material falling from a first belt of a conveyor to an inclined portion of a second belt of the conveyor beneath the first belt. To control the amount of material, the plate is positioned below a horizontal run of the first belt and above the inclined portion of the second belt. The material deposited on the inclined portion of the second belt is conveyed to a horizontal upper run of the second belt and provides a layer of material for coating a foodstuff transported from the horizontal upper run of the first belt to the horizontal upper run of the second belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating seeds and particulate material includes an elongate tray operably mounted on a support frame with a motor for oscillating the tray to move particulate material from a rearward end to a forward end therealong. The tray includes a perforated support surface with a saw-toothed cross-sectional shape such that the particulate climbs the inclined tread of each sawtooth and drops from the forward end of one tread to the rearward end of an adjacent tread to form a "curtain". A plurality of spray nozzles are located over the tray to direct coating solution onto the seeds as they move along the tray. Preferably, the nozzles direct spray towards the curtain of falling seeds between the treads. An upper housing on the support frame includes an air plenum which directs air downwardly onto the seeds on the support surface and through the perforated support surface to a second air plenum formed under the support surface.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser for use in consistently depositing relatively thick and lumpy materials onto receiving surfaces which employs a supply path to a plurality of pump/valve combinations and a feedback pressure line to assure an adequate pressure at the point of deposit. There are positive displacement pumps which operate continuously through the plurality of valves with an additional feedback path to assure constant flow of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping tablets into gelatin coating material and for spreading and setting the coating immediately after dipping is provided. Carrier plates having a plurality of tablet holders are transported from a tablet loading station to a dipping station along a transport guide. At the dipping station, a carrier plate is mounted to a vacuum chamber. A set of vacuum tubes in the vacuum chamber are extended through the tablet holders to contact and lift the tablets off of the holders and secure the tablets to the tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum chamber is rotated 180.degree. and a second carrier plate is mounted onto the housing and a second set of tubes secure the tablets to the plate. The carrier plates are alternately dipped and returned to the transport guide where new plates with uncoated tablets replace the plates with coated tablets. Immediately after dipping the carrier plates enter a rotating station where the plate is rotated 360.degree.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first coating section, a second coating section and a device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The first section includes a feeding and loading station for depositing products onto product holders retained in product carrier plates. The products are advanced to a first dipping station in the first section to coat a first portion of the product. The plates are then advanced to a first rotating station in the first station and rotated at least one revolution for spreading the coating over that first portion. The plates are then advanced to a dryer that extends over the first section of the coating apparatus and the coating is dried. The transfer device transfers the products to the second section of the coating apparatus in such a manner to expose the uncoated portion of the products. The plates are then advanced to identical dipping and rotating stations and dryer as in the first section.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating food frying pieces with grains powder includes a buttering conveyor of the string type carrying the food pieces through a steamer and under a batter nozzle that coats them before they drop off the end of the buttering conveyor onto a covering conveyor. The covering conveyor includes rotating urgers. A sieving conveyor, also of the string type, receives the pieces and conveys them to a next-stage output conveyor. A grains powder supply conveyor coupled to the stem portion of the covering conveyor and a grains powder recovery coveyor extend between the covering conveyor and the sieving conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously coating particulate material, such as seeds. The apparatus includes a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis tilted with respect to a horizontal plane, and a series of spray nozzles extending into the drum so as to spray one or more coating solutions onto the particulate material which tumbles within the rotating drum. The drum includes a rifling with flighting which carries the material upwardly from approximately a 6 o'clock position to a 9 o'clock position, wherein the material falls from the flighting in a curtain spaced apart from the sidewall of the drum. Perforations in the sidewall of the drum allow a flow of air through the drum and curtain of material so as to dry the coating solution on the material substantially instantaneously as the material is coated with solution in the drum. The drum is maintained at a negative pressure during the coating process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating products with two colors including a first coating section, a second coating section and a side to side transfer device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The transfer device includes a pair of plate grippers each having a movable upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are each adapted to receive and retain a product carrier plate. The transfer device includes a cam follower that precisely closes the upper and lower jaws so that carrier plates located in the jaws are positioned in registration with each other in order to clamp product between the plates and to maintain the product clamped in the plates while the grippers are transferred between the first and second conveyor guides. An unloading station includes breaker pins for breaking a seal that may be formed between the coating material applied in the first coating section and the carrier plates.

Abstract: An electronic condiment dispenser may dispense a plurality of condiments. The condiment dispenser may include a bag support module for holding a plurality of condiment supply bags. A pump regulator module may be connected to each condiment bag and may pump a condiment from the bag to a manifold diffuser module. The pump regulator module may include a multi-chambered pump having separate chambers for isolating the pump working fluid from the condiment, so the pump working fluid does not contaminate or react with the condiment. A main case may house at least one manifold diffuser module and may be configured to support a tray carrying a large number of food targets, i.e., 6 or 12 food targets, such as hamburger buns or taco shells. A programmable control module may be connected to the pump regulator module for controlling and selectively dispensing a predetermined amount of condiment and/or number of condiments to a predetermined number of food targets.

Abstract: A tempering and coating plant for different masses has at least one, preferably two subassemblies (3 or 8 respectively), consisting of a tempering machine (4 or 9 respectively) and a coating machine (5 or 10 respectively), arranged on the left and the right of a driven conveyor belt (1) for the articles to be coated, whereby the tempering machine or tempering machines (4, 9) are fixed in position, and the coating machine or coating machines (5, 10) are provided such that they can move transversely to the running direction of the conveyor belt (1). A connecting line (11) is provided between the tempering machine (4 or 9 respectively) and the coating machine (5 or 10 respectively) of each subassembly (3 or 8 respectively). A flow pipe (12) is located between each tank for the respective mass and the associated tempering machine and/or coating machine of each subassembly unit. A return pipe (13) can be provided between the coating machine (5 or 10 respectively) of each subassembly (3 or 8 respectively).

Abstract: A pasta cooking apparatus includes a generally rectangular cabinet including an upright cooking tank and a sauce heating chamber with a common wall, with an opening permitting water flow therebetween. The cooking water temperature and the sauce heating water are separately temperature controlled for heating thereof. A sauce chamber abuts the heating chamber and includes various sauce containers. Transfer hoses extend from the containers, through the heating chamber into nozzles located above the cooking tank. A self-contained conveyor unit within the cooking tank has an endless chain with equi-spaced pasta baskets. The cover has a top run above the tank. The baskets are pivotally mounted. The baskets are inverted in the upper run and then reset. A dish table rotates beneath the horizontal run and successive baskets drop the pasta into an aligned dish which then rotates beneath the nozzles. The unit has a 34 inch width to allow it to move through conventional doorways in small fast food restaurants.

Abstract: A device for charging a filling material (6) with respect to pieces of dough (1) transferred on a transfer conveyor (2) comprising detectors (3) mounted on the transfer conveyor, the detectors being adapted to detect transverse shifts of the pieces of dough on the transfer conveyor and to generate signals representative of the amounts of the shifts; a filling-charging mechanism (4) disposed downstream of the detectors, the filling-charging mechanism having discharging nozzles (48) mounted movably in the transverse direction; and a control device (7) for receiving from the detectors the signals representative of the amounts of the shifts and controlling the discharging nozzles to move transversely amounts equal to the respective amounts of the shift.

Abstract: A capsule-like medicament, method for producing such medicaments and apparatus. Such medicaments are achieved by individually dipping and drying first one end, and then the other end, of each caplet to provide a coating which is another and easier to swallow than an uncoated caplet. The production of these capsule-like medicaments is readily facilitated by simple and inexpensive modifications which can be made to existing empty gelatin capsule making equipment.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic breader/sifter unit used to facilitate the application of a breading material to a food product. The unit includes a rotatable, horizontally-oriented drum that has an octagonal shape. The sidewalls of the drum include a large number of apertures so that when breading material is within the drum, the material contacts the drum and is sifted as the drum rotates. The drum is motor-driven and is at least partially surrounded by an exterior housing. The housing prevents the sifted breading material from escaping from the unit.

Abstract: A relatively large-sized square substrate for use in the production of a color filter for liquid crystal display, a color image sensor or the like is applied with a coating film of a viscous liquid such as a photosensitive resin. For producing the coating film, the substrate is placed with its surface extending horizontally and the viscous liquid is dropped on the surface in a line along an edge portion of the surface. Then, a squeezee rod is moved along the surface with a predetermined gap maintained between the squeezee rod and the surface, to spread the viscous liquid over at least a part of the surface, whereby a predetermined thickness of the spread viscous liquid is obtained. Thereafter, the substrate is spinned in the plane of the surface thereof to disperse the spread viscous liquid uniformly by centrifugal force over the entire surface of the substrate, whereby a thin coating of the liquid of a uniform thickness is formed on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A pasta cooking apparatus includes a generally rectangular cabinet including an upright cooking tank and a sauce heating chamber with a common wall, with an opening permitting water flow therebetween. The cooking water temperature and the sauce heating water are separately temperature controlled for heating thereof. A sauce chamber abuts the heating chamber and includes various sauce containers. Transfer hoses extend from the containers, through the heating chamber into nozzles located above the cooking tank. A self-contained conveyor unit within the cooking tank has an endless chain with equi-spaced pasta baskets. The cover has a top run above the tank. The baskets are pivotally mounted. The baskets are inverted in the upper run and then reset. A dish table rotates beneath the horizontal run and successive baskets drop the pasta into an aligned dish which then rotates beneath the nozzles. The unit has a 34 inch width to allow it to move through conventional doorways in small fast food restaurants.

Abstract: This invention provides a cost effective, simple and sanitary breading machine suitable for coating a variety of food products, such as poultry, with different types of breading materials. After coating of upper and lower surfaces of food products introduced into the breading machine, a significant dwell time within the breading machine is achieved in the construction to allow breading material to more effectively set up on the coated food products. The coating machine further includes structure to enable the food products introduced therein to be flipped a plurality of times, wherein additional coating material is continuously applied to alternate sides of the food products and desirable coating characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic breader/sifter unit used to facilitate the application of a breading material to a food product. The unit includes a rotatable, horizontally-oriented drum that has an octagonal shape. The sidewalls of the drum include a large number of apertures so that when breading material is within the drum, the material contacts the drum and is sifted as the drum rotates. The drum is motor driven and is partially surrounded by an exterior housing. The housing prevents the sifted breading material from escaping from the unit.

Abstract: Particulate material for coating foodstuffs falling from a belt of a conveyor within a rotatable drum is distributed substantially evenly over the interior wall of the drum by a guiding device which includes at least one movable plate which is positioned below the belt and which has a longitudinal axis parallel to the end of the belt. The particulate material distributed from the belt to the drum is conveyed by the drum to a conveyor which delivers particulate coating material to a foodstuff to be coated.

Abstract: A table-top apparatus for conveying small loaves of bread beneath a liquid applicator and a dry particle dispenser. As bread is conveyed along an upper conveyor, butter, margarine, or the like is applied by a liquid applicator. The bread then drops to a lower conveyor and is topped with grated cheese and/or seasonings from a dry particle hopper. The conveyors and the liquid applicator are run continuously. An agitator within the dry particle hopper is only run when bread moving along the lower conveyor trips a limit switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating an article on both sides with a continuous layer of granular flowable material of constant thickness. The apparatus includes a belt for transporting the articles, with the material being capable of passing through the belt. The belt further includes an uppermost run and a lowermost run, with guide plates positioned beneath the uppermost and lowermost runs, with the material and the belt capable of being moved over the guide plates. The lowermost run of the belt is twice oppositely guided downward in the direction of the belt's movement to form three belt sections in the lowermost run. The three belt sections further include a first belt section, a second belt section positioned beneath the first belt section, and a third belt section positioned beneath the second belt section.

Abstract: A pizza making machine is disclosed which automates the heretofore manual task of preparing pizzas. The machine includes a sauce and cheese dispenser for topping a pizza therefrom. A pizza supporting platen is included which accommodates three sizes and two shapes of pizza pans, and is powered for movement to below the sauce and cheese dispenser.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating of wax and fungicide to the surface of fruit applies the coating in two stages. The first stage sprays onto the fruit a mixture of both wax and fungicide, while a second stage sprays onto the fruit wax alone. The fungicide is thereby concentrated immediately adjacent the fruit, where it is most effective in controlling fruit decay, and the wax is at its full concentration at the outside of the coating, where it can provide an optimum surface shine.

Abstract: The invention describes a coating machine which includes an endless pervious conveyor belt supported in an elongated frame which provides a food product conveyance path within the machine. A hopper is disposed above the food product conveyance path in which an amount of a coating material is provided to generate a falling curtain of bread crumbs or the like to cover the top and sides of food product pieces passing along the food product conveyance path. The machine also preferably includes a circular drum type conveyor which is rotatably supported along the elongated frame adjacent the hopper and includes a plurality of pockets formed therein which open into the interior of the machine and the hopper. Conveyors are provided in both the elongated frame and hopper to distribute coating material from the frame enclosure to the circular conveyor which will in turn distribute coating material to the hopper to generate the upper layer of breading material.

Abstract: An apparatus for hand breading of food products having a support table, a fry basket rack, a removable flour pan and a removable batter pan. A pivotally mounted sifter basket is translatable over the length of the support table in substantial alignment with the basket rack, flour pan and batter pan. A removable doughball collection trough is disposed transversely of the support table between the flour pan and basket rack.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and a method for applying a sweetener to a foodstuff. In the preferred method the frosted coating of sweetener has a snow-like appearance. The apparatus of this invention has a means for atomizing and spraying a sweetener solution onto foodstuff particles and a means for drying the sprayed foodstuff particles using compressed room temperature air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enrobing confections with an enrobing material by conveying the confections along a conveying path over which two transversely extending curtains of enrobing material are directed. Between the respective curtains a first downwardly directed air curtain is provided for smoothing a first layer of enrobing material, and downstream of the enrobing device a second air curtain is provided for smoothing a second layer of the enrobing material and to remove excess enrobing material from the confections. A bottom coating station is provided wherein the confections are guided through an enrobing material containing pan to provide substantially complete coverage of enrobing material over the surfaces of the confections.

Abstract: A capsule-like medicament, method for producing such medicaments and apparatus. Such medicaments are achieved by individually dipping and drying first one end, and then the other end, of each caplet to provide a coating which is smoother and easier to swallow than an uncoated caplet. The production of these capsule-like medicaments is readily facilitated by simple and inexpensive modifications which can be made to existing empty gelatin capsule making equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a foodstuff with particulate coating material includes conveyors and means for applying the particulate material. A first conveyor has a horizontal upper run and a second conveyor has an upper run which includes an inclined portion positioned beneath the first conveyor which extends upwards towards the leading edge of the first conveyor and terminates in a horizontal upper run portion which extends to the leading edge of the second conveyor. Means are provided for applying particulate material onto another portion of the second conveyor prior to the inclined portion. The first conveyor transports pieces of a foodstuff to be coated to its leading edge whereat the foodstuff is deposited upon particulate material transported on the second conveyor, the pieces of foodstuff and particulate material then being further transported on the horizontal portion of the second conveyor to a position whereat means are provided for applying particulate material onto the foodstuff.

Abstract: A conventional apparatus for dispensing ice-cream of the type having a lever-operated vertically-disposed and downwardly-directed dispensing nozzle, is combined with one or more syrup applicators, each having lever-operated dispensing nozzles disposed below and substantially normal to the ice-cream nozzle. After or during dispensing of ice-cream into a cone, one or more selected syrups are applied to the ice-cream discharged in the cone, while the latter is rotated by hand.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating a foodstuff with particulate material includes a drum capable of rotating about a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, and two horizontal conveyors, one positioned above the other, adapted to travel longitudinally in opposite directions through the drum. The lower conveyor has at least three successive endless conveyor belts having horizontal upper runs and a gap between each successive pair of belts. The second belt has an inclined portion below the first belt and the gap between the second and third belts is situated within the horizontal drum. The apparatus also contains means for feeding particulate material onto the upper conveyor and means for feeding the foodstuff onto the first belt of the lower conveyor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing frozen confections includes a mixing head which accepts one or more flows of semi-frozen or viscous confection materials and combines them into a single flow, a slicing mechanism which transversely severs the flowing confections into individual products or bodies. Next, edible particulate matter is adhered to the upper surfaces of such products by an assembly having a vibratory portion dispenser and an air jet transfer and adhering assembly which is synchronized to the motion of a product conveyor. The confectionary bodies are then advanced into a refrigerated region where they chill and solidify. Finally, the chilled confectionary bodies are subjected to a chocolate spray or bath which is allowed to congeal and the products are then ready for packaging and are moved to a packaging area.

Abstract: A breading machine for selectively dispensing flour breading or free flowing breading onto a food product, and wherein the machine has a frame and conveyor structure supported on the frame defining a conveyance path having a product inlet end and a product outlet end, and a breading hopper attached to the frame adjacent the inlet end for applying a coating of breading to the food product, and breading pumping slot structure attached to the frame for providing breading to the input end of the conveyor, with a fluffer mechanism mounted on the pumping slot structure for breaking up any caking or lumping of the breading on the conveyor prior to the point of introduction of the food product to the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for producing small mounds of a solidifiable substance, especially an almond fragments/chocolate mass mixture, includes a plurality of adjacent troughs which delimit respective substantially coextensive parallel channels, each of which includes a succession of an upstream mixing section, an intermediate sieving section, and a downstream settling section, which opens onto an unloading conveyor. The substance is introduced in a predetermined quantity into the respective mixing sections, at which it is subsequently engaged and advanced by one of a plurality of individual pusher elements of a multiple pusher.

Abstract: A machine for making cookies for removably mounted cylinders that spread the dough on a conveyor belt and the dough is automatically formed into cookies. Mechanism for sprinkling material are positioned so that the particulate material falls on the surface where the dough is going to be deposited and on the cookies themselves. A trap for the excess of the particulate material is provided by routing the conveyor belt appropriately. This allows using that particulate material again.