Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.

Abstract: A pizza cutting apparatus and portions of the apparatus, and methods of forming the apparatus and of disassembly. The apparatus includes a simple frame assembly made from sheet metal, an actuator assembly and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a central hub, a number of attached blade and guard combinations, a shaft with a flange and an elastic band. Each blade includes two spaced apart openings, one to receive the flange and the other to be engaged by the band so as to restrain the blades mounted in the hub. Each guard includes perforations for easy gripping by an operator. A blade is removed by having the operator safely grip each guard to stretch the band so as to disengage the blade from the flange and then return and rotate the blade to disengage the blade from the band.

Abstract: A cam follower plate used in a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The cam follower plate includes a panel of synthetic resin having side grooves to engage rails of the assembly line, a forward located slot surrounded by a wall, the slot having a predefined geometry such that the slot wall is engaged by a cam roller to impart motion to the panel, and a rearward located row of holes for receiving a pin carrying connector to facilitate the connection of the driven panel to other elements of the assembly line.

Abstract: A quick engagement and disengagement connector assembly for a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The connector assembly includes a connector having a stainless steel rectangular plate with two parallel rows of stainless steel pins projecting from a bottom side and a stainless steel handle projecting from a top side. The connector assembly also includes a cam follower plate having a row of holes for receiving one of the rows of pins of the connector and a panel for supporting a bundle of food tubes, the panel also having a row of holes for receiving the other row of the rows of pins. Removing the connector facilitates the quick and easy disassembly of portions of the assembly line for cleaning.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for an adjustable metering and dispensing pump apparatus for food products including a product piston moving in a product cylinder, the product cylinder being connected to a food hopper and a dispensing nozzle. The pump apparatus also includes a cylindrical valve moving within a central aperture in the product piston to selectively open and close passageways also in the product piston which communicate with intake and outlet ports connected to the product cylinder. The valve is attached to a valve piston moving within a valve piston cylinder and the valve piston cylinder is attached to a source of compressed air, to a sensor and to a control assembly. The control in turn is connected to a foot switch to allow an operator to initiate a cycle of the pump apparatus.

Abstract: A tubing and connector system including a plastic tubing or hose having a helical outer surface, a plastic lock nut having a helical internal surface with the same thread pitch as the pitch of the tubing outer surface, and a fitting having several barbs formed on its outer surface. The tubing and connector system has few parts and is easy to assemble by having the inner surface of the tubing engage the barbs of the fitting, and the lock nut, being mounted on the outer surface of the tubing, is rotated over the tubing and the fitting so as to squeeze the tubing between the lock nut and the fitting. Disassembly for washing is also easily accomplished by backing the lock nut away from the fitting and pulling the tubing off of the fitting.

Abstract: A food slicing apparatus and components where the apparatus includes a frame and a pivotally mounted carriage. The frame mounts a height adjustable conveyor system while the carriage hosts a latch for a slice thickness adjustment cam. The carriage also supports a drive system which precisely moves a food transporting tube assembly over a base, such as pizza dough, while food is cut by a laterally moving blade mounted around two drums, one of which is adjustable to change tension in the blade. The blade is further supported by a blade guide which also guides the sliced food to the pizza dough base. The drive system includes a servomotor, a group of gears, a crank connected to the gears, a cam roller and a cam follower plate with a slot. The cam follower plate is connected by a quick connect and disconnect connector to the food tube assembly. The result is a compact, efficient slicing apparatus with a small footprint that is usable in a food processing line.

Abstract: A food slicing apparatus and components where the apparatus includes a frame and a pivotally mounted carriage. The frame mounts a height adjustable conveyor system while the carriage hosts a latch for a slice thickness adjustment cam. The carriage also supports a drive system which precisely moves a food transporting tube assembly over a base, such as pizza dough, while food is cut by a laterally moving blade mounted around two drums, one of which is adjustable to change tension in the blade. The blade is further supported by a blade guide which also guides the sliced food to the pizza dough base. The drive system includes a servomotor, a group of gears, a crank connected to the gears, a cam roller and a cam follower plate with a slot. The cam follower plate is connected by a quick connect and disconnect connector to the food tube assembly. The result is a compact, efficient slicing apparatus with a small footprint that is usable in a food processing line.

Abstract: A pizza sauce dispensing apparatus that includes a base, a motor mounted within the base, a pump mounted to the base, a container of sauce mounted on the base, a removable conduit connecting the container and the pump, a valve removably mounted to the container, a nozzle, another removable conduit between the pump and the nozzle, a nozzle switch, a bracket for storing the nozzle when not in use, an electrical control circuit for programming the apparatus to dispense sauce as a function of pizza size, a sauce addition switch and a sauce subtraction switch, and an electrical path including two metal posts and wire from the base to the nozzle switch. The parts having the sauce path are removable and washable even though some of the parts include an electrical path which typically cannot be immersed in water. The result is an efficient, relatively inexpensive apparatus.

Abstract: Viscous flowable material dispensing apparatus for dispensing viscous flowable material such as food material. The apparatus is provided with a supply manifold for receiving and distributing the viscous material with air actuated reciprocating pump connected to the manifold to force the material therethrough, facilitated by one way inlet and outlet valves in the manifold. A pattern plate adapted to receive the material from the manifold into a flat chamber with a dispersing pattern plate supported in the chamber to disperse the material throughout the chamber. A pattern plate covering the plate chamber to receive the dispersed material and dispense same in a pattern over object to receive the material. Pneumatic control valves are utilized for operating the pump to continuously provide repeated movement of material through the apparatus.

Abstract: Viscous flowable material dispensing apparatus for dispensing viscous flowable material such as food material. The apparatus is provided with a supply manifold for receiving and distributing the viscous material with air actuated reciprocating pump connected to the manifold to force the material therethrough, facilitated by one way inlet and outlet valves in the manifold. A pattern plate adapted to receive the material from the manifold into a flat chamber with a dispersing pattern plate supported in the chamber to disperse the material throughout the chamber. A pattern plate covering the plate chamber to receive the dispersed material and dispense same in a pattern over object to receive the material. Pneumatic control valves are utilized for operating the pump to continuously provide repeated movement of material through the apparatus.