Abstract: A breading machine, and improvements thereto, for use in high volume food production is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved breading machine includes a side-mounted feed hopper, a low pressure auger assembly including an auger transfer box with an input port for accepting a cross-feed screw and paddle, and an output port for transferring coating material to a vertical screw. The improved breading machine also includes a substantially cylindrical, rod-based spreader assembly and a transport conveyor belt for feeding the spreader assembly within a top hopper of the breading machine. The improved breading machine further includes a vibrating filter assembly to filter out clumps of coating material while allowing un-clumped material to be re-used within the breading machine.

Abstract: A breading machine, and improvements thereto, for use in high volume food production is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved breading machine includes a side-mounted feed hopper, a low pressure auger assembly including an auger transfer box with an input port for accepting a cross-feed screw and paddle, and an output port for transferring coating material to a vertical screw. The improved breading machine also includes a substantially cylindrical, rod-based spreader assembly and a transport conveyor belt for feeding the spreader assembly within a top hopper of the breading machine. The improved breading machine further includes a vibrating filter assembly to filter out clumps of coating material while allowing un-clumped material to be re-used within the breading machine.

Abstract: A breading machine, and improvements thereto, for use in high volume food production is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved breading machine includes a side-mounted feed hopper, a low pressure auger assembly including an auger transfer box with an input port for accepting a cross-feed screw and paddle, and an output port for transferring coating material to a vertical screw. The improved breading machine also includes a substantially cylindrical, rod-based spreader assembly and a transport conveyor belt for feeding the spreader assembly within a top hopper of the breading machine. The improved breading machine further includes a vibrating filter assembly to filter out clumps of coating material while allowing un-clumped material to be re-used within the breading machine.

Abstract: A breading machine, and improvements thereto, for use in high volume food production is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved breading machine includes a side-mounted feed hopper, a low pressure auger assembly including an auger transfer box with an input port for accepting a cross-feed screw and paddle, and an output port for transferring coating material to a vertical screw. The improved breading machine also includes a substantially cylindrical, rod-based spreader assembly and a transport conveyor belt for feeding the spreader assembly within a top hopper of the breading machine. The improved breading machine further includes a vibrating filter assembly to filter out clumps of coating material while allowing un-clumped material to be re-used within the breading machine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing convenience foods from food units coming from the grower in various sizes. The vegetable or fruit food units of various sizes, are cleaned and handled and frozen in a generally conventional manner, and then are compressed by a high capacity press into a standard predetermined size of frozen block of food product, after which the block is cut by sawing, into generally equal size units which can then be further processed, such as for instance batter coated and cooked, and then packaged by count, prior to shipment.