Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided for dispensing dough. The apparatus comprises a dough hopper (11) having a valve chamber (12) at its lower end into which dough from the hopper is metered and from which dough is eventually discharged by a valve unit (14). Dough is expelled from the valve chamber in response to downward strokes of a dispensing rod (30) attached to the valve unit. In the preferred embodiment, a dough former (72) is attached to the valve unit and is used to dispense multiple charges of dough. In an alternative embodiment, the valve unit is provided with a seat (27) having a discharge opening (19) through which dough is dispensed in a single charge.

Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape and falls in cooking oil in a frying tank. Cooking oil from the frying tank is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. Cooking oil is picked up from the frying tank using a dipstick and is transmitted to the dough cutting surfaces using gravity and capillary action.

Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape. Edible release oil is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. The method by which doughnuts are extruded in a generally toroidal shape while distributing a film of edible release oil onto the dough cutting surfaces and then severing the formed toroidal shaped doughnut from the cutting surfaces whereby the doughnut contacts the release oil on the dough cutting surface and freely releases from the cylinder's cutting edge.

Abstract: A small, inexpensive doughnut fryer has a conveyor and separate elevator that are driven from the same shaft without interference with one another. Sprockets for driving the elevator are recessed to receive rods from the conveyor. The entire conveyor assembly is provided with a quick release coupling to the power supply. A method and apparatus for moving objects to be fried through a hot frying liquid by producing intermittent waves and eddies in the liquid in the desired direction of travel to propel the objects in a straight line.

Abstract: A small, inexpensive doughnut fryer has a conveyor and separate elevator that are driven from the same shaft without interference with one another. Sprockets for driving the elevator are recessed to receive rods from the conveyor. The entire conveyor assembly is provided with a quick release coupling to the power supply. A method and apparatus for moving objects to be fried through a hot frying liquid by producing intermittent waves and eddies in the liquid in the desired direction of travel to propel the objects in a straight line.

Abstract: A miniature size doughnut fryer has a portable hopper easily removed from the frying machine and which is automatically positioned in an aligned cutting position when installed on the machine. An improved safety cut-out device is provided for a belt drive to assure that the doughnut conveyor stops in an overload condition but which signals the operator that the overload condition is existing. The drive and safety cut-out are provided housed within the heater housing adjacent the frying tank of the machine for ease of assembly and manufacturing cost. The heater element housing is mounted on pivots which allow easy pivotal removal of the heating elements from the frying tank as well as providing a wide stance support for the heating elements when pivoted out of the tank. The drive and control circuitry for the conveyor and the cutter head are interlocked to prevent repetitive cycling of the cutter head during a conveyor overload position. An improved dual head doughnut cutter is also provided.

Abstract: An elongated tube is bent to have a central portion, a short leg and a long leg. The long leg is closed by a cap which is counterbalanced into the closed position. An elongated inner tube having an outer upper end passes through the sidewall of the long leg and terminates a substantial distance down in the long leg of the outer tube. The outer end of the inner tube is covered by a conventional bulb air pump. Squeezing the air pump pushes a pulse of air out the lower end and creates a vacuum when the cap is closed to begin siphoning through the short leg.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making filled products of various shapes and sizes and the products. The products can be toroidal, rings of interconnected knobs, crescent-shaped, spherical or other shapes, each having one or more discrete spots or globs of filling material within. The filling material can be injected in any direction without the product, for example, sidewise along the midline of a toroidal product, or radial in the toroidal product. The amount of filling material and its location within the product can be varied. The filling material flow is controlled by positive and negative pressure.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for filling doughnuts or like edible products with a filling in which the product is extruded over and through a hollow, annular filling nozzle such that the product material flows closely past radially, outwardly directed discharge openings in the filling nozzle. The product material forms a solid annular ring where it is rejoined, and filling material is injected into the ring by applying positive pressure to the filling material in the filling nozzle. The filling flow is stopped by applying negative pressure from within the filling nozzle to draw the filling material back from the discharge openings of the nozzle. The negative pressure allows the product material to move toward the discharge openings, sealing the openings.