Abstract: An automated pan shaker has a central longitudinal axis and a central lateral axis. The automated pan shaker includes a shaker assembly that is configured to induce a plurality of modes of movement in the baker pan. The pan shaker assembly includes a carriage assembly, a clamping assembly supported by the carriage assembly and an actuation assembly. The carriage assembly resides below the conveyor belt of the automated pan shaker. The actuation assembly further includes an actuator post connected to the carriage assembly, a first actuator assembly that includes a first actuator linkage connected to the actuator post, and a second actuator assembly that includes a second actuator linkage connected to the actuator post.

Abstract: An automated pan shaker has a central longitudinal axis and a central lateral axis. The automated pan shaker includes a shaker assembly that has a carriage assembly, a clamping assembly supported by the carriage assembly and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly further includes an actuator post connected to the carriage assembly, a first actuator assembly that includes a first actuator linkage connected to the actuator post, and a second actuator assembly that includes a second actuator linkage connected to the actuator post. Also disclosed is a method for inducing orbital movement in a bakery pan using a plurality of offset actuation assemblies.

Abstract: A pan oiler for depositing cooking oil into product molds of a baking pan includes a conveyor assembly configured to carry the baking pan through the pan oiler and an electrostatic oiler assembly. The electrostatic oiler assembly includes at least one injector assembly, a charge assembly and an oil delivery assembly. The injector assembly may include a valve body, an oil reservoir within the valve body, a valve seat within the valve body in fluid communication with the oil reservoir, a plunger extending into the valve body and an actuator operably connected to the plunger to lift the plunger off the valve seat when the actuator is energized. The plunger is retractable and conductive and in electrical contact with the charge assembly.

Abstract: A particulate dispenser configured to deposit particulate material onto food products includes a hopper and a brush assembly inside the hopper. The hopper has a front panel that has a lower extent and a hinge connected to the lower extent. The hopper also includes an access panel connected to the hinge on the lower extent of the front panel. The access panel is configured to be moved about the hinge between open and closed positions. The brush assembly is removable from the hopper when the access panel is in the open position.

Abstract: An automated pan shaker has a central longitudinal axis and a central lateral axis. The automated pan shaker includes a shaker assembly that has a carriage assembly, a clamping assembly supported by the carriage assembly and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly further includes an actuator post connected to the carriage assembly, a first actuator assembly that includes a first actuator linkage connected to the actuator post, and a second actuator assembly that includes a second actuator linkage connected to the actuator post. Also disclosed is a method for inducing orbital movement in a bakery pan using a plurality of offset actuation assemblies.

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 machine for depositing toppings onto a loaf of dough includes a lower belt assembly, an upper belt assembly and a pair of side belt assemblies. The lower belt assembly includes a lower conveyor belt that rotates in a first direction at a first speed to carry the loaf of dough from an upstream end of the machine to a downstream end of the machine. The upper belt assembly includes an upper conveyor belt that rotates in the first direction. Each of the pair of side belt assemblies includes a side conveyor belt positioned between the lower conveyor belt and the upper conveyor belt. At least one of the side conveyor belts includes a non-vertical portion.

Abstract: A tape closure device is configured to secure the neck of a bag with an adhesive film and a non-adhesive backing. The device preferably includes a closure application assembly that has a guide rail, a contact member and a cutting member. The guide rail preferably includes a contact section, a gathering section and a staging section. The contact member preferably includes a contact surface adjacent the contact section of the guide rail. The tape closure device also preferably includes a tape feed assembly, a paper feed assembly and a bag feed assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with an adhesive film and a non-adhesive backing. The device preferably includes a closure application assembly that has a guide rail, a contact member and a cutting member. The guide rail preferably includes a contact section, a gathering section and a staging section. The contact member preferably includes a contact surface adjacent the contact section of the guide rail. The tape closure device also preferably includes a tape feed assembly, a paper feed assembly and a bag feed assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with an adhesive film and a non-adhesive backing. The device preferably includes a closure application assembly that has a guide rail, a contact member and a cutting member. The guide rail preferably includes a contact section, a gathering section and a staging section. The contact member preferably includes a contact surface adjacent the contact section of the guide rail. The tape closure device also preferably includes a tape feed assembly, a paper feed assembly and a bag feed assembly.

Abstract: An attachment for supplying printed tabs or tags to a bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon dispensed from a spool about a gathered neck and the printed tag.

Abstract: A bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon dispensed from a spool about a gathered neck. A pulley and proximity switch are mounted to prevent the completion of a tying cycle if a bag neck is not properly gathered and ready to be tied.

Abstract: A bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon about gathered material. The bag neck tying device includes a bag gathering mechanism for moving a bag neck into engagement with a bag stop lever controlled by an electric brake. The bag neck tying device further includes a needle assembly for wrapping the ribbon around the gathered neck of the bag, a twister hook assembly for twisting the ribbon of tie material and a ribbon holder-shear assembly for cutting and holding the end of the ribbon. The gathering, needle, twister and holder-shear assemblies are controlled by bi-directional, brush type DC servomotors driven by full wave rectified solid state DC motor controllers in a closed loop control system which incorporates a software driven microcontroller for delivering reference input signals to the motor controllers for initiating and controlling pre-assigned functions of the motors driving the various tier assemblies.

Abstract: A pan oiler for spraying oil into cavities in pans moving on a conveyor including a stationary center nozzle assembly and spaced outer nozzle assemblies. The outer nozzle assemblies are mounted on opposite ends of a drive screw having right hand threads formed on one end and left hand threads formed on the other end for moving the outside nozzle assemblies in unison relative to the stationary center nozzle assembly. A pair of electrically charged electrodes are positioned adjacent the nozzle assemblies for setting up an electric field across the spray paths of the nozzle assemblies for reducing overspray.

Abstract: A bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon dispensed from a spool about a gathered neck. A pulley and proximity switch are mounted to prevent the completion of a tying cycle if a bag neck is not properly gathered and ready to be tied.

Abstract: The sequence controller disclosed is a microprocessor based unit having a user programmable sequence of electronic pulses for the control or synchronization of valves, relays, solenoids and timers. The controller 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 surface to form a continuous substantially uniform film of liquid on the surface.

Abstract: The thermal transfer printer is an on-line printer to print on a web in packaging apparatus adapted to print either when the web is in motion or during a stop cycle. The printer is configured to interface with a computer having a RS 232C serial port to permit changing messages or product identifications using stored data, fonts and graphics. Thousands of product identifications and descriptions can be stored and called up in minutes. The inker incorporates a web tensioning device which permits feeding a middle portion of the web through a printing nip at a speed different from the speed of the remainder of the web.

Abstract: A downstroke baler comprising a compaction chamber through which a platen is reciprocated vertically by spaced pressure actuated cylinders secured to opposite ends of the platen. The lower end of an actuating rod rests upon a support plate secured to the frame of the baler and a bracket secured to the frame of the baler is positioned adjacent the upper end of the actuating rod to restrain the actuating rod against vertical movement. A sleeve is secured to the platen and slides along the actuating rod such that the actuating rod is maintained perpendicular to the face of the platen. The upper end of the actuating rod is connected through an actuating link to valves secured to the frame of the baler. The valves control a hydraulic circuit connected to the cylinders which raise and lower the platen such that movement of the platen from a horizontal attitude causes the actuating rod to be moved from a vertical attitude thereby changing flow of fluid to the cylinders to return the platen to a horizontal attitude.