Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for controlling the ignition of a volatile organic compound cloud. The system can include a laser source configured to emit one or more laser beams, one or more fume cells, and a conveyor carrying one or more confectionery products. The system is configured to etch the one or more confectionery products using the one or more laser beams. The etching creates a volatile organic compound cloud above the one or more confectionery products. The system is also configured to control one or more factors of the system, where the one or more factors include at least one of laser power, laser wavelength, geometry of laser beam, etch geometry, or fume extraction air flow. The system is further configured to ignite the volatile organic compound cloud based on the controlled one or more factors.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a system for marking tablet-shaped articles. The system includes a hopper and a conveyor. The conveyor has opposing first and second side portions, and at least one pocket is defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions. The conveyor is configured to receive from the hopper a tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. A first window is defined in the first side portion of the conveyor. The first window defining an opening between the pocket and an external environment. The system further includes a first printing head adjacent the first side portion of the conveyor. The first printing head is configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the first window.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for making strips of edible material. Edible material is contained in a hopper having a discharge opening including a first side and a second side. A discharge shaping roller is positioned so that its surface is adjacent to the first side and said second side. Similarly, a cooling roller is also positioned so that its surface is adjacent to the first side and the second side. Edible material passes between the first side, the second side, the cooling roller, and the discharge roller to from a strip of edible material that is deposited on the cooling roller. The cooling roller then cools the strip of edible material and it is separated from the cooling roller by a blade. Once the strip is separated from the cooling roller it is deposited on a base of edible material such as a cookie or wafer.

Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for controlling the ignition of a volatile organic compound cloud. The system can include a laser source configured to emit one or more laser beams, one or more fume cells, and a conveyor carrying one or more confectionery products. The system is configured to etch the one or more confectionery products using the one or more laser beams. The etching creates a volatile organic compound cloud above the one or more confectionery products. The system is also configured to control one or more factors of the system, where the one or more factors include at least one of laser power, laser wavelength, geometry of laser beam, etch geometry, or fume extraction air flow. The system is further configured to ignite the volatile organic compound cloud based on the controlled one or more factors.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a system for marking tablet-shaped articles. The system includes a hopper and a conveyor. The conveyor has opposing first and second side portions, and at least one pocket is defined in the conveyor between the opposing first and second side portions. The conveyor is configured to receive from the hopper a tablet-shaped article in the at least one pocket. A first window is defined in the first side portion of the conveyor. The first window defining an opening between the pocket and an external environment. The system further includes a first printing head adjacent the first side portion of the conveyor. The first printing head is configured to mark the tablet-shaped article through the first window.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for making strips of edible material. Edible material is contained in a hopper having a discharge opening including a first side and a second side. A discharge shaping roller is positioned so that its surface is adjacent to the first side and said second side. Similarly, a cooling roller is also positioned so that its surface is adjacent to the first side and the second side. Edible material passes between the first side, the second side, the cooling roller, and the discharge roller to from a strip of edible material that is deposited on the cooling roller. The cooling roller then cools the strip of edible material and it is separated from the cooling roller by a blade. Once the strip is separated from the cooling roller it is deposited on a base of edible material such as a cookie or wafer.

Abstract: A conveying and marking apparatus is disclosed that can convey discrete pieces at high speeds, and in preferred embodiments permits marking on opposite sides of the pieces while the pieces remain in the same position on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveying and marking apparatus is disclosed that can convey discrete pieces at high speeds, and in preferred embodiments permits marking on opposite sides of the pieces while the pieces remain in the same position on the conveyor.

Abstract: Confectionary image design system including a graphical user interface through which a user defines a pattern of confectionary pieces to be arranged on a substrate. A computer processor controls the graphical user interface through which the user defines the pattern, and provides instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces in the defined pattern. A container retains the confectionary pieces used to form the defined pattern. A robot receives from the computer processor the instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces, retrieves the confectionary pieces stored in the container, and arranges the pieces on the substrate in the pattern defined by the user.

Abstract: Confectionary image design system including a graphical user interface through which a user defines a pattern of confectionary pieces to be arranged on a substrate. A computer processor controls the graphical user interface through which the user defines the pattern, and provides instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces in the defined pattern. A container retains the confectionary pieces used to form the defined pattern. A robot receives from the computer processor the instructions for arranging the confectionary pieces, retrieves the confectionary pieces stored in the container, and arranges the pieces on the substrate in the pattern defined by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing packaging material using ultrasonic technology. The method includes the steps of supplying the packaging material to a sealing station that includes an anvil and horn, and sealing the packaging material. The apparatus is a cam-shaped, rotatable anvil where the rate of rotation of the anvil can be changed based upon the speed of an AC Servo driving the anvil and the desired spacing between the seals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing packaging material using ultrasonic technology. The method includes the steps of supplying the packaging material to a sealing station that includes an anvil and horn, and sealing the packaging material. The apparatus is a cam-shaped, rotatable anvil where the rate of rotation of the anvil can be changed based upon the speed of an AC Servo driving the anvil and the desired spacing between the seals.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill, and seal apparatus for making different types of packages is provided. The packaging material travels around the outside, and the product goes through the inside, of the form-and-fill tube. A fin sealing mechanism, pleat sealing mechanism, and horizontal sealing mechanism are used in combination to make the different types of packages.