Abstract: A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

Abstract: A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

Abstract: In a food conveyor system configured to drive a conveyor belt in one direction to direct food material for further processing and drive the conveyor belt in a reverse direction upon the sensing of metal in the food material, the conveyor belt is cleaned by one or more belt cleaners including scrapers which are automatically angularly repositioned upon the changing of the drive direction of the conveyor belt, with the angular movement being limited to acute angles relative to the vertical. The belt cleaners are mounted through linkage assemblies for ease of cleaning and replacement. The food conveyor system also employs one or more chute members for directing the food material, with the one or more chute members being mounted through a quick release connection employing keyhole slots upon flexing of the chute member(s).

Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.

Abstract: A pump feeder includes a hopper, a first mixing paddle, a second mixing paddle, a first auger, a second auger and dual outlets. The hopper receives edible material in the form of a thick, viscous base and mix-ins, and includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The first and second mixing paddles are located within the upper chamber and cause movement of the edible material within the upper chamber for both breaking apart and mixing of the edible material. The first and second augers are located within the lower chamber and cause movement of the edible material from a first end of the lower chamber to a second end of the lower chamber. The outlets are located at the second end of the lower chamber and connected to an inlet of a pump which further compresses the mixed edible material for delivery to an extruder die and cutting assembly.

Abstract: A waffle sandwich maker includes first and second waffle plates which contact a food product during preparation of the food product. The first waffle plate includes a plurality of protrusions defining a plurality of channels, a female connector having a hole, a male connector having a protrusion and a first spacer extending inward relative to the plurality of protrusions. The pluralities of protrusions and channels create depressions and ridges in the food product. The protrusion of the male connector and the hole of the female connector of the first waffle plate mate with a hole of a female connector and a protrusion of a male connector of the second waffle plate. The first spacer contacts the second waffle plate during preparation of the food product, which includes an outer dough encapsulating a filling, to maintain the first waffle plate spaced at least approximately 0.5 inches from the second waffle plate.

Abstract: A particulate sizer includes an infeed for receiving a plurality of particulates, a first roller, and a second roller. The first and second rollers break down the plurality of particulates as the plurality of particulates passes through a gap between the first and second rollers. The width of the gap varies along a length of the first and second rollers. Accordingly, the first and second rollers compress some particulates to a first size and compress other particulates to a second smaller size. In addition, each of the first and second rollers has a textured outer surface for carrying the plurality of particulates through the gap.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.

Abstract: A particulate sizer includes an infeed for receiving a plurality of particulates, a first roller, and a second roller. The first and second rollers break down the plurality of particulates as the plurality of particulates passes through a gap between the first and second rollers. The width of the gap varies along a length of the first and second rollers. Accordingly, the first and second rollers compress some particulates to a first size and compress other particulates to a second smaller size. In addition, each of the first and second rollers has a textured outer surface for carrying the plurality of particulates through the gap.

Abstract: A system and a method include breaking a sheet of frozen pizza into individual pieces for packaging. In an embodiment, the frozen pizza sheet includes five individual pieces separated by frangible lines. The breaking process includes a first step, wherein two end pieces are broken off by a first breaking mechanism, and a second step, wherein two additional end pieces are broken off a remainder of the frozen pizza sheet by a second breaking mechanism arranged downstream of the first breaking mechanism. In preferred embodiments, each breaking mechanism includes multiple holding wheels and multiple camming wheel rotatably mounted on a common driven axle.