Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a sauce to a target food is claimed. The dispensing comprises a pump, a supply manifold, and a dispensing manifold. The pump draws a quantity of sauce from a source into the supply manifold and forces the sauce through the dispensing manifold to the target food. The supply manifold receives the sauce from the source. The sauce is transferred to the dispensing manifold through which the sauce material is transferred to the target food. A baffle suspended in the dispensing manifold. The baffle has a peripheral edge and a central portion displaced a distance from a substantially horizontal plane defined by the peripheral edge by a positioning portion which connects the central portion to the peripheral edge. A pattern plate is positioned downstream from the baffle and has a plurality of apertures for delivering the predetermined quantity of sauce in a predetermined pattern to the target food.

Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the food material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor.

Abstract: Uniform distribution of materials over a predetermined area of a receiver is assured by a multipurpose applicator wherein a gauging or metering device contacts materials on a conveyor to ensure that the materials are uniformly spread along the conveyor so that incremental movement of the conveyor results in a predetermined portion of the materials entering a distributor wherein it is agitated to form a cloud that will fall evenly over the predetermined area defined by a mask on the receiver. An electronic weighing device between the conveyor and the distributor may be used to achieved exact weight of portions.

Abstract: A high speed, automatic apparatus for accurately and consistently portioning solid or liquid food material, such as sausages or sauces, onto receivers, or substrates, such as pizza crusts, is disclosed. A conveyor moves the substrates, in a first path while a hopper moves in a second, preferably circular path, that partially overlies the first path. The hopper further includes a plurality of hoppers in a carousel where the hoppers hold the material to be portioned. A blade underneath the hopper removes portions of the food material as the hopper moves in its circular path. Controls are provided to synchronize the movement of the hopper relative to the conveyor where the conveyor and hopper are continuously moving together. As the portions of the food material are cut by the blade, the portions are propelled and directed onto the substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a flowable material, such as a pizza sauce, onto an object, such as a pizza shell, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of the flowable material having a source outlet port and a chamber having an chamber inlet port and a chamber outlet port. The apparatus further includes a piston and cylinder for moving the flowable material from the source to the chamber and a flow control gate disposed at the chamber outlet port. The apparatus further includes an arm responsive to actuation of the piston for opening the flow control gate, thereby permitting a substantially uniform application of the flowable material onto the object.

Abstract: Automatic apparatus for dispensing a food material such as pizza meat. The apparatus utilizes a rotatable valve for conveying a food material from a source thereof to an intermediate, or portioning, cylinder, to a main cylinder where it is introduced into a dispensing station which includes a reciprocatable knife plate. An air actuator is used to rotate the rotatable valve. Non-contact solid state sensors, and pneumatic control valves are employed to control the continuous movement of a food material through the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically dispensing a flowable material, especially an edible flowable material, especially an edible flowable material such as a sauce on an object such as pizza dough preparatory to making the end product. The apparatus includes air-pressure actuated reciprocatable piston means associated with valve means for channeling a flowable material from a source thereof to dispensing means provided in the apparatus. Piston stroke limiting means, as well as sealing means for the dispensing means, are provided to selectively control the amount of flowable material dispensed by the apparatus. The apparatus advantageously is associated with conveyor means and meat dispensing means to enable a product such as pizza to be prepared on a continuous, mass production basis.

Abstract: The essential concept of this invention basically involves the improved structuring and operative arrangement of a multiple-receptacle apparatus for the pressurized cooking of food in hot, non-aqueous liquid, wherein the food is inserted into and removed from a receptacle cooking compartment when it is essentially drained of hot liquid and free of pressure, and the method of carrying out the aforesaid.

Abstract: The essential concept of this invention basically involves the improved structuring and operative arrangement of a multiple-receptacle apparatus for the pressurized cooking of food in hot, non-aqueous liquid, wherein the food is inserted into and removed from a receptacle cooking compartment when it is essentially drained of the hot liquid and free of pressure.

Abstract: A closure lid for effecting an air-tight seal of the opening in a receptacle for the pressurized cooking of food in high temperature, non-aqueous liquids, wherein the closure lid is manually positioned through said opening into the receptacle and is held upwardly into sealing engagement with the rim of said opening by the pressure in said receptacle, said closure lid being manually removable from said opening when the pressure in said receptacle is released.

Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the good material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing passes through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor and at a second end to a distributing blade.