Abstract: A blending apparatus for coating product in flavouring is provided. The blending apparatus comprises a product dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of product, a flavouring dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of flavouring, and a deflection surface. The deflection surface is configured to deflect at least one of the falling stream of product and falling stream of flavouring, thereby bringing the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together. A method for coating product in flavouring is also provided. The method comprises the steps of dispensing a falling stream of product from a product dispenser, dispensing a falling stream of flavouring from a flavouring dispenser, deflecting the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring using a deflection surface so as to bring the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together, thereby coating the product in the flavouring.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a portioning device for sequentially supplying batches of a specified quantity of foodstuffs at a supply location. A mixing device includes a number of mixing chambers which can be sequentially aligned with the foodstuff supply location. A dispenser is provided for dispensing measured quantities of an additive at an additive supply location spaced from the foodstuff supply location. The mixing chambers are movable about a closed path so as to be sequentially brought into alignment with the foodstuff supply location and the additive supply location. A control system controls operation of the portion device, mixing device and dispenser. A packaging device is disposed downstream to the supply location and below the mixing device for packaging the batch of foodstuffs in a bag. Each mixing chamber is operable above the packaging device to discharge its contents into the packaging device.

Abstract: A flavoring system has a portioning device such as a weigher for receiving unflavored food items and sequentially supplying batches of a specified quantity of them, dispenses measured quantities of a flavoring material with a dispenser, applies these measured quantities of flavoring material to the supplied batches and packages the flavored batches of items in a bag. A sensor monitors the discharge of the flavoring material and a sorting device discards packaged products if the sensor detects an abnormality in the discharge of the flavoring material. A plurality of dispensers may be provided for dispensing measured quantities of different flavoring materials.

Abstract: A flavoring system has a portioning device such as a weigher for receiving unflavored food items and sequentially supplying batches of a specified quantity of them, dispenses measured quantities of a flavoring material with a dispenser, applies these measured quantities of flavoring material to the supplied batches and packages the flavored batches of items in a bag. A sensor monitors the discharge of the flavoring material and a sorting device discards packaged products if the sensor detects an abnormality in the discharge of the flavoring material. A plurality of dispensers may be provided for dispensing measured quantities of different flavoring materials.

Abstract: A weighing and flavoring system includes a measurer for measuring articles, a flavoring apparatus disposed downstream of the measurer for supplying flavoring in a predetermined quantity, thus flavoring the articles, a check measurer that measures the quantity of the flavored articles, setting means for setting at least one threshold value based on the quantity of the articles as measured by the measurer, and a sorting unit that performs sorting according to the weight of the flavored articles based on the threshold value.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a portioning device for sequentially supplying batches of a specified quantity of foodstuffs at a supply location. A mixing device includes a number of mixing chambers which can be sequentially aligned with the foodstuff supply location. A dispenser is provided for dispensing measured quantities of an additive at an additive supply location spaced from the foodstuff supply location. The mixing chambers are movable about a closed path so as to be sequentially brought into alignment with the foodstuff supply location and the additive supply location. A control system controls operation of the portion device, mixing device and dispenser. A packaging device is disposed downstream to the supply location and below the mixing device for packaging the batch of foodstuffs in a bag. Each mixing chamber is operable above the packaging device to discharge its contents into the packaging device.

Abstract: To easily position and bond together a preceding strip-like film and a succeeding strip-like film and with improved operational performance, pairs of front and rear clamp members (27, 32, 28, 33) are arranged on a running path 10 of a strip-like film (F). A preceding film (F1) clamped by these clamp members is cut by a cutter (49). The rear clamp only is then released, and a portion of the preceding film (F1) backward from a cut position (C) is removed. A succeeding film (F2) is moved forwardly until the succeeding film (F2) comes in contact with the front clamp member (32) whereby the succeeding film (F2) can be positioned with respect to the preceding film (F1). The succeeding film (F2) is clamped again by the rear clamp, electricity is conducted to a heater (45) under this state whereby overlapped portions of the two films (F1, F2) are bonded. Thereafter the two clamps are released and the running of the bonded film is restarted.