Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for placing toppings on a product. In one embodiment, a system comprises a mandrel configured to dispense toppings from a supply hopper, and a topping distributor disposed least partly downstream to the mandrel. The topping distributor comprising at least one opening, wherein at least some of the toppings that fail to exit through the at least one opening of the topping distributor are directed into a reclaim hopper. In one example, the topping distributor comprises at least one rotating drum that encircles the mandrel.

Abstract: A tape closure device is configured to secure the neck of a vertically-oriented bag with an adhesive tape. The tape closure device preferably includes a main plate that has a closure receiving slot and a drive plate connected to the main plate. The drive plate includes a drive assembly receiving slot that is vertically aligned with the closure receiving slot. The tape closure device also includes a drive assembly attached to the drive plate, a tape feed assembly attached to the main plate, and a closure system attached to the main plate. The closure system of the tape closure device includes a front plunger configured for rotation about a first vertical axis, a back plunger configured for rotation about a second vertical axis, a taping arm configured for rotation about a third vertical axis and a receiving block positioned adjacent the closure receiving slot.

Abstract: A tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with a tape closure includes an automated control system, a tape feed assembly configured to provide a continuous length of tape and a closure application assembly. The closure application assembly also includes an encoder wheel that outputs to the automated control system a signal representative of the length of tape provided to the closure application assembly from the tape feed assembly during the closure cycle. The tape closure device further includes a motorized cutting member that is connected to the automated control system and configured for selective activation by the automated control system in response to the signal provided by the encoder wheel. The selective activation of the motorized cutting member allows the tape closure device to create a tape closure that based on the length of tape drawn into the closure application assembly.

Abstract: A tape closure device is configured to secure the neck of a vertically-oriented bag with an adhesive tape. The tape closure device preferably includes a main plate that has a closure receiving slot and a drive plate connected to the main plate. The drive plate includes a drive assembly receiving slot that is vertically aligned with the closure receiving slot. The tape closure device also includes a drive assembly attached to the drive plate, a tape feed assembly attached to the main plate, and a closure system attached to the main plate. The closure system of the tape closure device includes a front plunger configured for rotation about a first vertical axis, a back plunger configured for rotation about a second vertical axis, a taping arm configured for rotation about a third vertical axis and a receiving block positioned adjacent the closure receiving slot.

Abstract: A bag tying apparatus for tying a ribbon about a gathered neck is provided. A holder-shear drive assembly moves a holder-shear assembly from side to side to grip and cut the ribbon. An over-travel compensation assembly compensates for over-travel of the holder-shear drive assembly relative to the travel of the holder-shear assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of lower inboard and out board gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard of the bag bridging between the inboard and the strip from the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of upper inboard and outboard gathering belts and a pair of lower inboard and outboard gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard gathering belts for fusing panels of the bag together to form a sealed strip spaced from the row of perforations in the bag neck to facilitate removal of the sealed strip from the bag.

Abstract: A method of filling and closing a bag comprising the steps of: delivering an air jet for opening a bag; moving a pair of horns into the open bag for engaging inner surfaces of the bag; filling the bag; moving a bag transfer mechanism having spaced pinch belts into engagement with the outer surface of the bag; rotating the pinch belts for removing the filled bag from the bagger; and moving the bag transfer mechanism from a first position adjacent the bagger to a second position adjacent a bag closing apparatus.

Abstract: An automated bagging system fills and closes a bag by delivering an air jet to open the bag. A pair of horns engage the inner surfaces of the bag wherein the bag is subsequently filled. A bag transfer mechanism engages the outer surface of the bag with pinch belts and the pinch belts transfer the bags to a bag closing apparatus to close the filled bag.

Abstract: A method of using a sequence control system in combination with a spray system for applying a liquid, such as cooking oil, to a surface of a pan carried by a conveyor. The controller, which is a microprocessor based unit, is connected to spray nozzles adapted for projecting atomized droplets of liquid between charged electrodes in a timed sequence to cause the charged droplets to be attracted to and impinge against partial areas of a grounded pan surface to form a continuous substantially uniform film of liquid on the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a film of cooking oil on a pan surface wherein a mass of cooking oil is atomized to form droplets which are projected between a pair of electrodes having curved surfaces charged to a potential in a range between four and six kilovolts to electrically charge the droplets. The charged droplets are propelled at a velocity in a range between ten and twenty meters per second along a trajectory to impinge against an oppositely charged pan surface at an angle of greater than 45.degree. relative to the plane of the pan surface to form an oil film on the pan surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic splitter for cutting proofed dough pieces carried on a conveyor to form a chevron shaped pattern on the dough pieces. A manifold having multiple nozzles is movable along a guide rail by a timing belt driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a computerized system in conjunction with a pan velocity sensor and a pan position sensor for initiating a cycle of operation and controlling movement of the manifold transversely of the conveyor. One of a plurality of stored programs is selected for controlling the shape of the pattern formed on the dough piece.

Abstract: A wire tying device for tying a wire-like ribbon about a neck of a bag moved along a path by a conveyor. The packaging device includes a bag gathering apparatus including a bag clamp plate positioned adjacent the path of the neck of the bag and a plunger which moves along the path to engage the neck of the bag between the clamping mechanism and a slotted face plate for pulling slack out of a plastic bag and to draw to the bag to a control tension about the product. An improved drive mechanism smoothly and rapidly accelerates a needle for wrapping a section of wire ribbon around the neck of the bag, a twister hook for twisting the wire, a wire holder-shear for gripping and cutting the wire ribbon and a striper arm for removing the twisted wire from the twister hook.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing either fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds, or flaky material, such as bran, through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of spaced rows and columns of a food product in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a reversible variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of horizontally and vertically spaced rows and columns such as upper surfaces of buns in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.