With Work Drying, Cooling, Heating Or Noncoating Gas Contact Patents (Class 118/20)
  • Patent number: 11185081
    Abstract: A system for the automated coating of baked good with a water based icing is provided. In particular, a system for the automated movement of icing and controls of variables such as temperature, moisture, and/or flow rate of the icing is provided to maintain the characteristics of the icing for extended periods of operation of an associated coating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Axis Automation
    Inventors: Michael LaMantia, Tigran K. Sarajian
  • Patent number: 10602869
    Abstract: An automatic meal preparation apparatus is provided which has a top section with compartments for raw food and at least one spice/sauce cartridge; a middle section with a cooking vessel; and a bottom section with a heating element. The sections are stacked in series within a housing. The compartments of the top section are disposed above the cooking vessel. The cooking vessel is in communication with the heating element. A controller receives a selection of a recipe from a user, and executes instructions of the recipe to selectively heat the heating element at certain times, and selectively dispense at least a portion of the raw food and a pre-determined measure of spice/sauce. The apparatus stirs and cooks the food and the spice/sauce in the vessel for a specified duration, in accordance with the recipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KITCHEN MATE INC.
    Inventors: Yang Yu, Yousuf Chowdhary
  • Patent number: 10136664
    Abstract: A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Company
    Inventors: John J. Ryan, Brian A. Whiting
  • Patent number: 9953852
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus of the present disclosure performs a liquid processing by supplying a processing liquid to a substrate that is rotating. A substrate holding unit configured to be rotatable around a vertical axis is provided with a holding surface to attract and hold a bottom surface of the substrate horizontally. A guide unit is formed integrally with the substrate holding unit, disposed around the substrate held in the substrate holding unit, and provided at a position equal to or lower than a height of a top surface of a periphery of the substrate. The guide unit includes a guide surface configured to guide the processing liquid. A rotary cup rotates integrally with the substrate holding unit, and guides the processing liquid towards the cup between the rotary cup and the guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jiro Higashijima, Yuichi Douki, Masami Akimoto, Shigehisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 9744721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen appliance, especially a food printer, and a method for printing food in 2- or 3-dimensional shapes. The food printer for making 2- or 3-dimensional shapes comprising a housing, an opening for printable food and binder, a control unit, and a printer head, wherein the printer head prints small drops of the printable food and the binder while moving to build the 2- or 3-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Nico Kläber
  • Patent number: 8978576
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh
  • Patent number: 8904952
    Abstract: A device for coating food products, of the type having a coating area includes: a coating conveyor provided to drive said food products in a longitudinal direction; and a device for applying a coating compound on the food products driven on the conveyor. The coating conveyor includes a chassis, a plurality of rotary brushes fastened in the longitudinal direction relative to the chassis, and a motorized assembly for driving the brushes in rotation around respective transverse axes relative to the chassis, the brushes being arranged so as to define, together, a support and driving surface for the food products and being provided to make the food products roll during the application of the coating compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xeda International
    Inventors: Alberto Sardo, Stefano Sardo
  • Patent number: 8869736
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a powder spray apparatus for preparing a food product having an edible pearlescent coating, comprising: a spray zone having a spray device positioned proximate to at least one food product located in the spray zone for application of an edible pearlescent powder to the food product; a chamber for holding the edible pearlescent powder that is in fluid communication with the spray device; and a vibrator and/or a continuous forced air supply that assists in fluidizing the edible pearlescent powder in the chamber for delivery to the spray device. A method of using this apparatus and an edible pearlescent powder composition adapted for use in this apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Lucille M. Scudieri, Kirk Hisashi Fujioka, Rodger Dale Ellis, Michael S. Wozniak, Alfred V. Camporini
  • Publication number: 20140255555
    Abstract: An automatic process includes dissolving a sticky coating layer, pouring the sticky coating layer onto a main material, bonding a covering layer onto the sticky coating layer to form a semi-product of a solid food, cooling the semi-product to cool the sticky coating layer, and vibrating the semi-product to drop an overlapping part of the covering layer so as to form a solid food which includes the main material, the sticky coating layer and the covering layer. Thus, the solid food is made in an automated manner to save the working time, to reduce the cost of production, and to increase the working efficiency. In addition, the solid food is made automatically so that the product of the solid food satisfies the standardized requirement, thereby enhancing the quality of production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Chin-Shih Chen
  • Publication number: 20140255556
    Abstract: A shelf-stable snack and method for making the same. First a dough is mixed and sheeted to form a sheeted dough. Thereafter, the sheeted dough is cut to form at least one dough piece. Sauce is sprayed upon the dough piece with a textural sprayer. The dough has a moisture content of between about 30 and about 45% by weight and has an average particle size of between 100-500 microns. Then the dough piece is dried to a moisture content of less than 3%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish ANAND, Kiran ANNAPRAGADA, Vamshidhar PUPPALA, Ngoc TRINH, Chad WOELFLE
  • Patent number: 8807065
    Abstract: In a pan coating apparatus including a rotary drum which rotates about a horizontal rotation axis, an air supply chamber having a larger sectional area than that of an opening portion is arranged on a front stage with respect to the front-surface opening portion of the rotary drum. The air supply chamber is formed in a chamber door attached to a front of a casing, and has one end side communicating to the opening portion and another end side connected to an air supply duct via an air supply hole. The air flowing into the air supply chamber from the air supply duct is reduced in flow rate in the air supply chamber and supplied from the opening portion into the rotary drum with the air flow thereof in a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Freund Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoyo Fusejima, Takuya Nakamura, Takashi Terada, Shigemi Isobe
  • Publication number: 20140216331
    Abstract: An edible pellet producing apparatus and an operation method are provided. The edible pellet producing apparatus includes a solidifying device, a processing chamber, a boiling tank and a cooling tank for producing an edible pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: LONG CHANG
  • Patent number: 8714105
    Abstract: A process for application of alcoholic derivative on heat treated pellets for inhibition of particulate emission is provided, and the process includes weighing the amount of heat treated pellets discharged from furnaces, measuring the temperature of the heat treated pellets discharged from furnaces, applying cooling fluid on the heat treated pellets until they reach temperatures below 140° C., and spraying the alcoholic derivative on the heat treated pellets. Also provided is a first device for applying cooling fluid that is capable of calculating a dosage of cooling fluid to be applied to the heat treated pellets, a second device for applying alcoholic derivative that is capable of calculating a dosage of alcoholic derivative to be applied to the heat treated pellets already cooled, and a carrier device that continuously communicates with the first device for applying cooling fluid and with the second device for applying alcoholic derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Vale S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Alves E. Silva Reis, Leonidio Stegmiller, Aldo Gamberini
  • Publication number: 20140113042
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an edible film are disclosed. The method includes a plurality of applying operations of applying solution for forming the edible film onto lower wrapping paper in a thin film shape. The solution-applying operations include a first solution-applying and a second solution-applying operation. Therefore, in the case of an edible medicine film product, particularly, when a tiny dosage of medicine must be loaded onto an edible medicine film, a loss of medicine can be reduced as much as possible. A variety of kinds of films can be manufactured through a multi-solution-applying operation, when different kinds of medicines, for example, those which are respectively absorbed in the mouth mucous membrane, the stomach and the intestine, are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Gang Mo Sung, Won Jin Kim, Seok Hoon Chang, Jeong Jun Yu
  • Patent number: 8342117
    Abstract: There is provided a coating apparatus capable of continuously producing coated rice having powdered coating material adhered to the grains and including a drying process to prevent the grains from being bonded to one another and make the grain surfaces smoother upon drying of the grains. The coating apparatus comprising a binder coating unit for applying liquid binder to the grains being conveyed through a coating and stirring chamber to coat the grain surfaces with the binder; a adhering unit for adding powder material to the grains conveyed through a adhering and stirring chamber to adhere the powdered material to the grain surface by the binder; and a drying unit including a drying and stirring chamber through which the grains are conveyed while being stirred, a blow passage for blowing hot air into the drying chamber to dry the grains, and an exhaust passage for exhausting the hot air from the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukumori, Shigeharu Kanemoto, Hidenori Mizuno, Syuji Morito, Hiroyuki Maehara, Keishi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8166909
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 7908992
    Abstract: A capsule dusting system is designed to expose capsules to a dusting agent in a controlled manner. The system incorporates a tumbling basket positioned within an enclosure. The tumbling basket is loaded with capsules and is rotatably connected to a drive shaft. A dust injection system meters the dusting agent into the dust injection system. The dust injection system may include a dusting injector that translates between two positions. At one position, the dusting injector is loaded with dusting agent by a powder supply system. At the other position, the dusting injector is positioned to inject the dusting agent into the tumbling basket. A gas is fluidly connected to the dusting injector to cause the dusting agent to disperse into the tumbling basket. The enclosure contains the dusting agent within the system to reduce the environmental, health, and safety hazards associated with airborne particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: R.P. Scherer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Rowe, Marc Brunagel
  • Patent number: 7841294
    Abstract: A food glazing system for automatically applying a glaze to an edible object. An inclined heatable surface is disposed in the path of sugar dispensed from a sugar dispenser and is positioned to heat the sugar enroute to an edible object to be glazed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dearborn Sausage Company
    Inventors: Clifford Todd Meier, Michael C. Kosch
  • Patent number: 7836842
    Abstract: Provided is a coating apparatus, which has satisfactory operability at a time of installing or exchanging a spray nozzle, is not complicated in structure, and is advantageous in terms of layout. A rotary drum (2) is rotated around an axis (A) inclined with respect to a horizontal line, and has an opening (5) at one end on an inclination upper side. A spray nozzle unit (10) is removably attached to a swing arm (34), and the swing arm (34) can swing with respect to a swing axis (34c). Owing to the swing operation of the swing arm (34), the swing nozzle unit (10) can be moved between the inside and the outside of the rotary drum (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Hiroshi Matuura, Yasukazu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7810446
    Abstract: A continuous coating process for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material are introduced into inclined rotating drums in solution material plurality cores or rotating requisite which heated air is circulated and a coating is applied (liquid or powder). The coating is dried on the pieces of material, and a of thin layers are formed on each of the small pieces of material. A series of drums can be provided to provide the number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc Degady, Miles van Niekerk
  • Publication number: 20100206220
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of an edible substrate. The apparatus includes a particulate supply, a metered dosing system, a conduit through which the measured particulates are to the edible substrate, an applicator nozzle to direct the measured particulates from the conduit onto the exposed surface of the substrate, and a vacuum system that supplies a directed stream of air to transfer the particulates from the dosing system through the conduit and the nozzle. The particulates are ejected at a velocity sufficient to cut through air currents between the nozzle and substrate, but insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of the substrate, to deposit and adhere a substantial amount of the particulates in a desired pattern onto the exposed surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Marla D. Belzowski, Richard E. Ludwick
  • Patent number: 7669546
    Abstract: A coating such as liquid milk chocolate is applied to articles such as confectionery bars. The bars are conveyed by conveyor under a curtain of liquid chocolate issuing through an outlet slot in a trough. A layer of air is caused to flow through the outlet slot in the trough so as to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain. The layer of air permits a curtain of even thickness to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cadbury Schweppes Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Hugh Sanders, Anthony Gregory Smith, David Michael Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100047442
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for applying a coating to an ear of corn in a high throughput manner are disclosed. The system includes means for moving the ear of corn through the system and means for coating the ear of corn with a coating while passing through the system. The apparatus includes a carrying position for an ear of corn, an automated line having a plurality of the carrying positions, and an automated coating station adapted to apply a coating to the ear of corn on the automated line. The method includes staging a plurality of ears of corn on an automated line, passing the automated line through an ear coating process, and coating the plurality of ears of corn with a coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID KURTH
  • Patent number: 7614359
    Abstract: The rotating drum 2 rotates around an axial line A that is inclined to the horizontal at a present angle ?. Process gas flows in the rotating a drum 2 from an air vent 7a of an air duct 7 through an air inlet 5 at one end of the rotating drum 2, passes through a layer of granules 11, and flows out into an air outlet duct 8 through an air vent 21a of a first disc plate 21 and a connection hole 22a in a second disc plate 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex
    Inventors: Koji Hasegawa, Hiroshi Matsuura, Tetsuya Murakami, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20090252880
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a coating to an ear of corn are disclosed. An enclosure having a user accessible workspace and a motor to turn an ear of corn therein to apply a coating to the ear of corn rotated by the motor is also disclosed. The method includes providing an enclosure with a user accessible workspace for housing a motor assembly having a motor with a grip, releasably securing the ear of corn to the grip, rotating the ear of corn with the motor, and spraying the coating on the ear of corn with the coating applicator associated with the workspace. Each ear of corn has an identifier to track and index the ear corn during coating and drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID KURTH
  • Patent number: 7322311
    Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc Degady, Miles Van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 7137334
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for thawing, heating and/or glazing previously frozen baked goods and other dough-based products, wherein the products can be thawed in an environment having a selected temperature and elevated humidity; the conveyor is configured to prevent early and excessive insertion of the products into the oven; the oven is configured to heat the products to greater than a selected surface temperature; and wherein the glazer is configured to apply glaze to the products when the surface temperature of the product is within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Belshaw Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Petersen, Michael Porter, Michael Bontatibus
  • Patent number: 6783768
    Abstract: Method of coating a substrate which is a belt, sheet, film, or tape, comprising applying an active coating material to the substrate to form an active coating layer, the active coating material comprising biologically active material. The active coating material is applied electrostatically as a powder and, after the active coating material is applied, the active coating material is fused to form an active film layer. The active coating material is removable from the substrate as a wafer comprising the active film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Phoqus Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventors: Steven R. Brown, Linda A. Reeves, John N. Staniforth
  • Publication number: 20040131791
    Abstract: Coated bodies and a process, apparatus and article of manufacture for coating bodies in a non-fluidized state, including tablets, by producing an upward spray of coating fluid by means of a two-fluid nozzle as defined herein and contacting said bodies with said spray of coating fluid in a non-fluidized state; wherein, before contacting the bodies with said spray, providing the bodies with a spinning movement by acentral impact of gas jets directed upward to intersect the centerline of said spray; guiding the spinning bodies by said gas jets towards a central position over the two-fluid nozzle, thereby increasing the number of suspended bodies contacting the spray; providing atomization gas to the two-fluid nozzle in an amount less than the one which after moderation by means of muffling gas would scatter the bodies in the spray zone; and pneumatically muffling the atomization gas just above the nozzle to reduce the body scattering effect thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Kim Torben-Walter, Mark Arthur Neidlinger
  • Patent number: 6755149
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying glaze to warmed doughnuts includes a base, an oven supported on the base, a food finishing area located below the oven, and a discharge area at an output of the food finishing area. A drive mechanism includes first couplings positioned in the food finishing area and discharge area. Supports, fixed to the base, project outward adjacent to each of the drive mechanism first couplings. Two conveyor units are included, each conveyor unit including a chassis and a driving component having a second coupling and supporting belt. Each conveyor unit chassis is mounted on the supports so that the second coupling engages one of the first couplings to provide power from the drive mechanism to the conveyor units' driving components. The conveyors are releasable as a unit from the supports to facilitate cleaning of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Herman & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Herman
  • Publication number: 20040105936
    Abstract: After subjected to a developing process, a rinsing process and a replacing process in this order in a developing unit 10A, 10B, a substrate W wet with an anti-drying solution is wet-transported to a supercritical drying unit 20 by a primary transport robot 30. The supercritical drying unit 20 performs a high-pressure drying process (supercritical drying process) in a dedicated manner. Accordingly, by virtue of the presence of the anti-drying solution, the substrate W is effectively prevented from becoming air-dry during the transportation of the substrate W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Muraoka, Kimitsugu Saito, Tomomi Iwata, Eiji Fukatsu, Ikuo Mizobata, Hiroyuki Ueno, Yasuo Okuyama, Takashi Gama, Yoshihiko Sakashita, Katsumi Watanabe, Jun Munemasa, Hisanori Oshiba, Shogo Sarumaru
  • Patent number: 6689417
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating and/or cooling a plurality of particles including a generally circular bed for holding the particles, the bed having a substantially centered annular inner bed wall, an outer bed wall and an irregular bottom. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism rotatably affixed to said bed, where rotation of the drive mechanism at a predetermined rate produces a displacement of the bed horizontally and vertically resulting in a particle flow in the x, y and z directions. The particle flow in the x and y planes for a majority of said particles is in a dominant direction. The apparatus also includes an airplant which provides a heated and/or cooled airflow tangentially into the bed in a direction opposite to the dominant direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mars, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Ray Louis Peterson, David Mendel Nathan, Gregg Alan Martell, Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Malcolm Albert Austin
  • Publication number: 20030056721
    Abstract: An inkjet head is disclosed which an ink ejection unit and a plate including an ink ejection nozzle disposed in correspondence to the ink ejection unit. The plate contains fine particles that have a water-repellent function in at least a region near to a surface of the plate, the fine particles being dispersed therein. The plate is arranged by etching using at least two kinds of etching conditions which differ in magnitude relation between an etching rate of the fine particles in the region and an etching rate of portion of the plate excluding the fine particles in the region, to form the ink ejection nozzle and a surface of the plate in the vicinity of an ink ejection opening of the ink ejection nozzle. The fine particles, for example mainly comprises silicone. The surface of the plate formed by etching is a fine irregular surface where the fine particles are exposed, and an inner surface of the ink ejection nozzle formed by etching is a flat surface with no fine irregular portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yamamoto, Seiichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6526908
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: J. E. Grote Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Gardner, Mark A. Brick, Allan Hopkins, Tony Thomas, Ty Tomlinson, Dave Petty
  • Publication number: 20020050244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for liquid treatment of a defined area of a wafer-shaped article, especially of a wafer, in which a mask is kept at a defined short distance to the wafer-shaped article such that liquid can be retained between the mask and the defined area of the wafer-shaped article by capillary forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: SEZ Semiconductor-Equipment Zubehor fur die Halbleiterfertigung AG
    Inventor: Philipp Engesser
  • Patent number: 6228172
    Abstract: In cooler used for coating a product such as food with a uniform layer of a liquid coating material, the mass of the product is measured either in the cooling chamber or just before it is introduced into the cooling chamber; the mass of a liquid cryogen which will suffice, when introduced into the cooling chamber and into contact with the product, to reduce the temperature of the mass of product to a first predetermined temperature below the melting point temperature of the coating material is calculated; the introduction of the calculated mass of liquid cryogen into the cooling chamber is controlled and the product is thereby cooled to the first predetermined temperature prior to application of a predetermined mass of coating material onto the cooled product to provide a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, David G. Wardle, Mark T. Grace
  • Patent number: 6209479
    Abstract: A non-fluidized bed apparatus for coating tablets has a base plate of which a portion of the upper surface is inclined towards an upward directed two-fluid or three-fluid nozzle. Ducts through the base plate around the nozzle produce jets of process gas in a direction intersecting an imaginary centre line of the spray produced by the nozzle. Atomizing gas from the nozzle is muffled shortly after it has left the nozzle to decrease the upward scattering effect of said gas on the tablets being coated. No partition is used for separating upward and downward flow of tablets during the coating process. In the coating process the amount of atomizing gas supplied to the nozzle is limited to reduce the tablet scattering effect of said gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Aeromatic-Fielder AG
    Inventors: Kim Torben Walter, Mark Arthur Neidlinger
  • Patent number: 6206968
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating a food, confectionery or pharmaceutical product wherein the product is prepared in rotary pans and wherein separate adjustable double piston metering pumps are used to automatically supply a coating substance to each pan on a predetermined schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: LIF Hospitality Mints LLC
    Inventor: Charles Mitchell Minges
  • Patent number: 6195911
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gelatin coating of medicaments which includes a continuous conveyer system to advance a plurality of pallets through a loading station, at least one dipping station, at least one dryer station, a reorientation station and an unloading station. Medicaments to be coated are loaded into pallets at the loading station and advanced to the first dipping station where a vacuum is applied to secure the medicament to the pallet. The pallet is inverted and a first portion of each of the medicaments is dipped into a coating mixture. The pallet is then returned to its upright position, the vacuum is removed and the coating is dried. The medicaments are then transferred from the first pallet to a second pallet by a reorientation mechanism. The second pallet is then advanced to a second dipping station which operates in the same manner as the first dipping station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brehant, Linn C. Hoover, Thomas Kucharski, Thomas C. Reiter, David J. Revelle, Daniel A. Slater, Luis R. Torres, Patrick Vo
  • Patent number: 6142095
    Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material is provided with a housing and a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted within the housing. The drum includes a frame having opposite end rings and rails extending longitudinal between the end rings. A plurality of screen panels are slidably mounted on the rails to form a perforated drum side wall for holding particulate material. One or more spray nozzles are positioned within the drum for spraying a liquid solution onto the particulate material. An air inlet and outlet is provided to supply heated air for drying the solution on the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Coating Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Long
  • Patent number: 6119625
    Abstract: A method and apparati for preparing and displaying a donut having a "fresh-baked" quality in a retail environment principally uses standard equipment available in a typical convenience store or quick-service restaurant. The method utilizes pre-frozen donuts manufactured at a centralized manufacturing facility and involves thawing, storing and heating the frozen donuts at the point-of-service. The donuts are thawed under refrigeration but in a generally humidity-constant environment. This on-site procedure allows a retailer to quickly and conveniently produce a moist, fresh-tasting donut with minimum equipment and effort. Furthermore, the present production method allows the retailer to control the number and type of donuts produced for sale, thereby substantially eliminating waste and allowing the retailer to immediately tailor donut production to local consumer demand. An improved applicator eases the glazing process to permit relatively inexperienced personnel to properly glaze the donuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Barry J. Brummett
  • Patent number: 6105533
    Abstract: A drum for holding, moving and treating a particulate material is rotatable about its axis and has a metallic wall enclosing the axis and provided with perforation holes. A wire fabric has wires sintered to one another, rests essentially with its entire outer surface against the inner surface of the wall, is sintered essentially over its entire outer surface to the wall and separates the perforation holes thereof from the free interior space of the drum. Since the wire fabric rests essentially with its entire outer surface against the wall, no particulate material can enter between the wall and the wire fabric. The wire fabric is durable and can be cleaned rapidly and readily together with the rest of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Glatt Maschinen- und Apparatebau AG
    Inventor: Gunther Boos
  • Patent number: 6007859
    Abstract: In cooler used for coating a product such as food with a uniform layer of a liquid coating material, the mass of the product is measured either in the cooling chamber or just before it is introduced into the cooling chamber; the mass of a liquid cryogen which will suffice, when introduced into the cooling chamber and into contact with the product, to reduce the temperature of the mass of product to a first predetermined temperature below the melting point temperature of the coating material is calculated; the introduction of the calculated mass of liquid cryogen into the cooling chamber is controlled and the product is thereby cooled to the first predetermined temperature prior to application of a predetermined mass of coating material onto the cooled product to provide a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, David G. Wardle, Mark T. Grace
  • Patent number: 5964146
    Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Nabisco Technology Company
    Inventors: James W. Kelly, Joseph A. Szwerc, Robert M. Sauer, Jr., Juan A. Menjivar, Lisa Alfieri, John M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5942034
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gelatin coating of medicaments which includes a continuous conveyer system to advance a plurality of pallets through a loading station, at least one dipping station, at least one dryer station, a reorientation station and an unloading station. Medicaments to be coated are loaded into pallets at the loading station and advanced to the first dipping station where a vacuum is applied to secure the medicament to the pallet. The pallet is inverted and a first portion of each of the medicaments is dipped into a coating mixture. The pallet is then returned to its upright position, the vacuum is removed and the coating is dried. The medicaments are then transferred from the first pallet to a second pallet by a reorientation mechanism. The second pallet is then advanced to a second dipping station which operates in the same manner as the first dipping station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Brehant, Linn C. Hoover, Thomas Kucharski, Thomas C. Reiter, David J. Revelle, Daniel A. Slater, Luis R. Torres, Patrick Vo
  • Patent number: 5911827
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating food products with sauce while simultaneously deep freezing them comprises a rotatable drum (10) in a horizontal position, on the inner wall surface of which a driving plate is disposed and which has an opening (16) at an end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Peter Heller GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heller
  • Patent number: 5904951
    Abstract: A centrifugal tumbling granulating-coating apparatus for spherically granulating and coating pharmaceuticals, foods and the like. The apparatus is constructed such that an annular outer portion 5b of a rotary disc 5 is formed to provide an inclined portion which is inclined downwardly toward the center, the size (P) of the outer portion 5b in the horizontal direction is within the range of P.gtoreq.0.25D to the diameter (D) and preferably 0.4D.gtoreq.P.gtoreq.0.25D, and the height (H) is within the range of 0.1D.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.0.33D and preferably 0.1D.ltoreq.H.ltoreq.0.25D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Freund Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yamanaka, Kiyoshi Nishiyama, Narimichi Takei
  • Patent number: 5846587
    Abstract: The amount of oleaginous or aqueous liquid carrier used as an adhesive or binding agent for the topical application of a particulate composition to the major surfaces of baked good pieces or snack pieces is reduced by separately spraying the liquid composition and dispensing the particulate composition in substantial side-by-side relationship within a rotating drum. The liquid composition causes the particulate composition to adhere to the pieces prior to and without substantial penetration of the liquid composition into the pieces. Highly porous or absorptive products such as reduced fat, low fat, or no-fat crackers or snacks may be transferred hot to the drum. The liquid composition is sprayed substantially coextensively but separately from the dispensing of the particulate composition. The particulate curtain and the liquid spray both extend in the direction of transport of the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nabisco Technology Company
    Inventors: James W. Kelly, Joseph A. Szwerc, Robert M. Sauer, Jr., Juan A. Menjivar, Lisa Alfieri, John M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5817366
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for manufacturing organic electroluminescence cell, wherein the steps after formation of a transparent electrode on a substrate plate up to formation of a protective film are successively carried out in vacuum chambers which are isolated from the oxidative external atmosphere and thereafter withdrawn from the chambers into the air. A plurarity of layer portions of at least a portion of the electroluminescence cell is formed in a plurality of woriking chambers and withdrawn to the outside after formation of a protective film thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Arai, Kenji Kakaya, Kenryo Namba
  • Patent number: 5800613
    Abstract: A hollow needle catches each seed in a seed vessel by suction, and a nozzle section receives the seed to form a gel film. An air blow-out nozzle opens toward the tip of the hollow needle. The mechanism includes an air cylinder for elevating the seed vessel, a lowering pipe line and a lifting pipe line each connected to the cylinder, a cylinder operating solenoid valve by way of which the pipe lines communicates with an air pressure source, and a branch pipe line communicating the lowering pipe line with the air blow-out nozzle. Further, air blows out from the air blow-out nozzle as synchronizing with the descent of the seed vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Ido