Edible Base Or Coating Type Patents (Class 118/13)
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Patent number: 5992345Abstract: A process and a device for producing sausage casings which bear a coating of spice particles on the inside are distinguished in that the inside of the sausage casing is provided with an adhesive coating which hardens from the liquid state and the spice particles are projected against the adhesive coating while it remains adhesive. The production of the spice particle coating can be interrupted in sections, that is to say in the sections predetermined for tying off individual sausage casings.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventors: Johannes Lange, Joachim Peters
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Patent number: 5988052Abstract: An apparatus for producing cheese includes a dispenser for applying salt to the cheese at a rate which varies in response to a control signal. The cheese travels across a platform to which a first sensor is attached for measuring the weight of the cheese. A second sensor measures the linear amount of cheese traveling across the platform. A controller derives the rate of cheese production based on the weight and the linear amount of cheese. The controller utilizes the rate of cheese production to produce the control signal and thereby control application of salt to the cheese.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Stainless Steel Fabricating, Inc.Inventor: Joseph H. Abler
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Patent number: 5954876Abstract: An apparatus for coating foods, such as sweets, baked goods and the like, with flowable coating substances, such as chocolate and other icings. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor belt for the coated goods or the goods to be coated and a run-off plate arranged underneath the conveyor belt for excess coating substance. A catch container is provided for receiving the excess coating substance from the run-off plate. A separate scraping belt for removing excess coating substance or scraping the run-off plate is provided underneath the conveyor belt and above the run-off plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Hosokawa Kreuter GmbHInventors: Peter Koch, Joost J. de Koomen
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Patent number: 5951760Abstract: A device for coating food products with granular material, for example breadcrumb material, comprises a rotating conveyor belt which is permeable to the granular material and on which the food products can be held, guide plates which extend beneath at least a section of the top part and the bottom part of the conveyor belt, a feed, which opens out above the top part of the conveyor belt, for the granular material, a diverter for guiding the granular material from the top part to the bottom part of the a conveyor belt and back, as well as conveyor for conveying granular material from the top part of the conveyor belt to the feed. A selection device to which granular material is fed from the top part of the conveyor belt is situated between the top part and the bottom part of the conveyor belt, via which selection device selected granular material is fed to the bottom part of the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Koppens B.V.Inventor: Hendrikus Antonius Jacobus Kuenen
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Patent number: 5951766Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for depositing a viscous flowable mass to coat or decorate the surface of a product. The apparatus has a linearly moveable manifold assembly with at least one nozzle for depositing the viscous material on the surface of a product passing beneath the nozzle, a counterbalance eccentric drive system, and a linear motion assembly connected to the drive system and manifold assembly. At least one of the assembly and nozzle is heat traced and controlled so as to maintain the temperature of the viscous material in a range such that the material is flowable. By changing at least one of (a) the speed of the moving manifold assembly, (b) the speed of the product under the nozzle, and (c) the stroke length, the product surface can be ornamented in a variety of ways. The apparatus is particularly useful for decorating a food product with icing.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Kellogg CompanyInventor: Robert C. Miller
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Patent number: 5937744Abstract: A convertible drum-type coating apparatus for applying breading material to food products includes an in-line breader section, a rotary drum section, and an outflow section. The rotary drum is mounted on an elevator for lowering and lifting between a low use position and a high non-use position. The low use position is involved with tumbling the breading material and food product together to enhance the coating by the breading material, and in a sense the tumbling gives the appearance of dusting off excess breading material. The coating apparatus is convertible in that the rotary drum can be lifted out of the way to the high non-use position to allow substitution in favor of a bypass conveyor. Bypass of the drum is desired when running "formed" food products and the like, such as patties (eg., beef) or cakes (eg., fish), which are ordinarily too delicate to tumble in the drum.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Inventors: Robert G. Nothum, Sr., Robert G. Nothum, Jr.
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Patent number: 5924356Abstract: A food product breading machine is disclosed that comprises a breading unit and a battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading material reservoir, a conveyor for moving food products and breading material along a travel path to a breading application station, and a breading material flow controlling system for creating a standing wave of breading material at the breading application station. The breading material flow controlling system comprises food product engaging elements movable toward and away from the conveyor to enable food products to pass through the standing wave and the application station while continuing to restrict the flow of breading material from the station. An adjustable plow projects into the breading approaching the application station to facilitate breading lateral sides of food products approaching the station.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: G. Daniel Harper, Lane Bettcher, Forrest A. Airhart
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Patent number: 5918539Abstract: A device for making patterns or images having predetermined shape uses powder substances introduced into a container disposed inside a cylindrical body. The container has an open bottom and features at top a recess with a related hole. A bottom mask, with a perforated pattern or image, closes the bottom of the container and is kept by retention means engaging with the cylindrical body. A driving device, set into the recess, has a shaft passing through the hole and fastened to a scraper member disposed inside the container for facilitating passage of the powder substance through holes of the perforated pattern or image of the bottom mask.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: SO.GE. CA. S.N.C.Inventor: Romano Mischiatti
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Patent number: 5895679Abstract: An novel egg holder is claimed. The egg holder is used in combination with a tray and dye containing liquid for coloring eggs.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.Inventors: John C. Pender, Charles Wood Saunders, Jr., Daniel Robert Williams, James S. Mandle
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Patent number: 5891246Abstract: A seed coating apparatus for applying a coating fluid to seeds, consists of a seed input, a housing connected to the seed input, the housing having a seed output, a rotating seed dispersing member within the housing receiving seed from the seed input, a device adapted to produce a moving air curtain between the seed dispersing member and the seed output, whereby coating fluid applied to the seeds is kept within the seed coating apparatus by the moving air curtain, a rotating fluid dispensing member between the air curtain producing device and the seed output, and a source of coating fluid entering the housing. The rotating fluid dispensing member may preferably be a rotating bowl with apertures arranged vertically along the periphery, so that the fluid is dispensed along a vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Gustafson, Inc.Inventor: Virgil D. Lund
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Patent number: 5866193Abstract: An apparatus for encapsulating seed by gel comprising a seed supplying portion and a processing portion, wherein seed has fallen from a hopper of a seed supplying portion are carried to a plurality of processing nozzles of a processing portion, for encapsulating seed by gelling. A supplying portion comprising the hopper filled with seed, a carrying device disposed below the hopper for arranging seed in correspondence with the number of processing nozzle of the processing portion, and switching devices disposed respectively at the end portions of seed carriage lanes formed by the carrying device so many as the processing nozzles. The carrying device comprising a box-shaped trough, partitions disposed at the upstream portion of the trough for restriction of the height of the flowing of seed, partitions for dividing the flowing of seed into streams so many as the processing nozzles, and a vibrator disposed below the trough.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Agritecno Yazaki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Kohno, Takamichi Maejima, Kazushi Nakatsukasa
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Patent number: 5865889Abstract: The apparatus for decorating a cake or tart(gateau) includes a base plate (1) adapted to accommodate the cake or tart to be decorated; a number of pins (6) distributed over and projecting from a top surface (1a) of the base plate (1) and oriented so that they penetrate the cake or tart and extend transversely in relation to cake or tart surfaces to hold the cake or tart on the base plate (1) when the base plate is tilted; and a shaft (8) attached centrally to the base plate (1) having a shaft length (L) such that the base plate (1), when resting with a rim portion thereof and the shaft end (8a) on a flat supporting surface (16), is oriented at an angle (.English Pound.) with respect to vertical such that the center of gravity of the cake or tart (15) and any supporting plate on which it rests is located vertically over the top surface of the base plate (1) so as to hold the cake or tart in a tilted orientation facilitating decoration of its rims.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Inventors: Andreas Birtalan, Gabriele Birtalan
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Patent number: 5865890Abstract: A reclaimer system is provided for collecting and recycling a viscous coating batter in a foods processing line, particularly such as in a production line for making batter coated French fry potato strips. The reclaimer system comprises an elongated collection trough mounted at the downstream end of a product conveyor used to transport batter coated food products to a fryer, wherein the conveyor is positioned to collect excess batter dripping from the conveyor and the food products and further wherein this excess batter would otherwise undesirably fall into the fryer. A paddle is reciprocated back and forth within the trough to sweep collected batter therein from opposite open ends of the trough into appropriate collection vessels or funnels for recycling. The trough is water cooled to prevent significant cooking of the batter therein, and the paddle includes a central overflow port to permit large quantities of batter to spill therethrough without being swept over the longitudinal edges of the trough.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: J. R. Simplot Company a Nevada corporationInventor: Nosh R. Makujina
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Patent number: 5858089Abstract: Corn Buttering Tool is an invention created with the intent of simplifying and efficiently buttering an ear of corn, alleviating slippage and mess. The components consist of a stainless mesh screen which secures and cradles the corn; one butter bin, accommodating up to 1 lb. of butter; and one plastic cover which keeps the butter fresh. The butter is placed into the bin, the mesh is set upon the butter and the heated corn rests on the mesh. Rotating the corn on the mesh attains the desired amount of butter. Combining rotating and sideways motion will allow more butter to be applied to the corn. The design's primary function is to butter corn however it may be used as a butter storage unit. The bin's arched shaped base allows for maximum butter usage. The side lip of same prevents excess melted butter from spilling over.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Inventor: Zoran Martinovic
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Patent number: 5855671Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment, Company, Inc.Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
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Patent number: 5855670Abstract: A liquid distribution apparatus for distributing liquid to a dough product includes a source of liquid and an enclosure fluidly coupled to the source of liquid for receiving liquid. The enclosure includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes through which the liquid exits the enclosure. Preferably, a plurality of guide structures on the enclosure guide the liquid to a bottom surface of the enclosure whereat the liquid drops to the dough product. In a further embodiment, a plurality of guiding elements receives the liquid from the plurality of spaced-apart holes and guides the liquid to the dough product. Each guiding element includes a first end disposed proximate the enclosure to receive liquid from one of the plurality of spaced-apart holes and a second end remote from each corresponding first end.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: Dennis B. Usgaard, John A. Peterson, Joseph G. Anton
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Patent number: 5840119Abstract: A fluoride enriched sugarless gum system comprises a plurality of sugarless chewing gum sticks each containing a gum base of between about 10% and 80% by weight, each gum stick also including a softening agent, a sweetening agent and a bulking agent, each gum stick including fluoride material applied thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Inventors: Michael Louis Stefanello, Richard Timothy Stefanello
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Patent number: 5840121Abstract: A suction tip is moved between a seed-attracting position and a seed-releasing position when a rotary member is rotated by a drive source. The suction tip is moved upwardly and downwardly by an actuator attached to the rotary member. A gel-discharging mechanism disposed in alignment with the seed-releasing position includes a reciprocatable piston. When the piston moves front, a pressure is applied on gel, by which a hollow nozzle plunger opens a valve to allow the discharge of the gel. When the piston moves back, gel is supplemented. A portion of the gel discharged drops by its own weight, while the remainder forms a gel layer that closes the lower end of the hollow nozzle plunger. At the seed-releasing position, the suction tip is driven by the actuator to be lowered into the hollow portion to release the seed on the gel layer. Extremely small seeds can be reliably supplied on the gel layer at the lower end of the hollow portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yasushi Kohno
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Patent number: 5830271Abstract: For feeding seeds contained in a tank main body of a seeds feeding section to a gel coating section by means of suction tips arranged in a seeds transfer section in order to coat them with a gellant, a total of eight through bores are formed along the upper end of the peripheral wall of the tank main body at positions corresponding to the suction tip and arranged at regular intervals so that an annular adaptor having a through bore running through the center thereof is fitted into each of the through bores. The inner peripheral wall of the through bore has a large diameter section located on the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall for receiving a suction tip and a small diameter section smaller than the large diameter section located on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall for allowing seeds to pass therethrough from the tank main body.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Yasushi Kohno, Yoichi Ido, Kazushi Nakatsukasa
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Patent number: 5800613Abstract: A hollow needle catches each seed in a seed vessel by suction, and a nozzle section receives the seed to form a gel film. An air blow-out nozzle opens toward the tip of the hollow needle. The mechanism includes an air cylinder for elevating the seed vessel, a lowering pipe line and a lifting pipe line each connected to the cylinder, a cylinder operating solenoid valve by way of which the pipe lines communicates with an air pressure source, and a branch pipe line communicating the lowering pipe line with the air blow-out nozzle. Further, air blows out from the air blow-out nozzle as synchronizing with the descent of the seed vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yoichi Ido
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Patent number: 5795395Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating a cake. A print head is provided that moves in a planar or linear domain and that dispenses edible colorant at positions corresponding to the pixels of a digital image. The cake is positioned parallel to the domain and displaced vertically from the domain by an appropriate displacement. The proper positioning of the cake is facilitated by a sensing mechanism for sensing the attitude of the cake with respect to the domain and a leveling mechanism, responsive to the sensing mechanism, for adjusting that attitude. A preferred sensing mechanism includes laser sources aimed at photodiode detectors: when the cake is properly positioned, the beams of light from the lasers are partially blocked. A preferred leveling mechanism includes adjustable legs supporting the table whereon the cake is placed under the print head.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventors: Ruth Ben-Matitayhu, Boris Sverdlov, Ilena Brailovski
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Patent number: 5787838Abstract: A device and method for decorating an egg is provided which comprises a paper bag, the inner surface of which is coated with a water-soluble transfer dye, such that when an egg with a wetted surface is introduced into the bag and comes into contact with the dye on the inner surface of the bag, the dye releases from the bag and transfers onto the egg, coloring the egg.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Easter Unlimited IncorporatedInventor: Gary M. Abrams
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Patent number: 5728217Abstract: The covered seed hardening apparatus of this invention has a construction suited for performing simultaneous parallel processes of hardening the gelling agent of seeds. The seeds covered with the gelling agent are dropped from the valves (73b) of the gel covering section (7) into the liquid hardener in the front half of the feed liquid tank (111a) on the reaction tank (111b) side of the flow regulating barrage (111g) in the hardening tank (111) of the gel hardening section (11). The covered seeds immersed in the hardener are moved through the hardener in the guide direction Y by the guide paddles (113b) after the guide paddles (113b) dip into the hardener in the reaction tank (111b) on the feed liquid tank (111a) side until the guide paddles (113b) move to a point in the reaction tank (111b) near the inclined surface (111m) of the hardner stopping barrage (111k) and come out of the hardener.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Yasushi Kohno, Yoichi Ido, Kazushi Nakatsukasa
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Patent number: 5728216Abstract: A machine for tumble-coating food or other product with a coating material comprises a product conveyor belt and a carrier conveyor system, which underlies and supports at least a portion of the upper run of the product conveyor belt in a tumble or processing zone. The product conveyor belt and the carrier conveyor system work in conjunction with one another to allow the product conveyor to sag between a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart support rollers on the carrier conveyor system, forming a tumble chamber. Products captured in the tumble chamber are coated with a charge of coating material introduced into the tumble chamber. The formed tumble chambers are moved along as the product conveyor is driven, and products within the chambers are continuously tumbled and moved within the coating material to achieve excellent coating or breading characteristics and appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Stein, Inc.Inventor: Eugene J. London
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Patent number: 5728218Abstract: The gel-covering apparatus has an inexpensive configuration that can supply the gelling agent to the seed covering portions under uniform pressure when performing simultaneously a plurality of same processes of covering the seeds with gelling agent. The gelling agent is supplied and filled into the closed spaces (73m) formed between the eight passages (73c) and the plungers (73h) in the nozzle block (73). The eight pressurizing air cylinders (77) connected to the eight gel supply passages (73B) communicating with the spaces (73m) are operated to pressurize the gelling agent in the spaces (73m) through the gel passages (75a) to cause the plungers (73h) in respective passages (73c) to move up, opening the valves (73b) at the lower ends of the passages (73c).Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Yasushi Kohno, Yoichi Ido, Kazushi Nakatsukasa
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Patent number: 5725662Abstract: A processing section in a gel coat processing unit for seeds to uniform the coating amount of seeds with gelatinizer to change a grain diameter of coated seeds without taking plenty of time and labor nor cost.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Kazushi Nakatsukasa, Yasushi Kohno
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Patent number: 5718768Abstract: Each suction tip on a support member is moved between a seed-sucking position and a seed-supplying position by a drive source (20) at a supplying unit, and a seed vessel is moved up and down by a drive source (40). A pressurizing plunger is moved front by a drive source (50) at a nozzle unit and pressurizes the gel inside a gel flow channel to move a cutting plunger up and open a valve to allow gel to be discharged. A part of the gel discharged drops, and the remainder forms a layer on which a seed is supplied. A counter of a controller counts the number of unsuccessful seed-sucking operations, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined number of times, the running of the apparatus is stopped. If a suction tip does not suck a seed at the seed-supplying position, instead of moving the pressurizing plunger front, another suction tip is moved to the positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yoichi Ido
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Patent number: 5711805Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for coating egg-yolk disks containing egg-yolk materials. The egg-yolk is initially produced in the form of a cylinder, which is cut into disks, which disks after being encapsulated into an edible membrane, are used in combination with egg-white to form egg-products which may be fried or poached in a similar manner as real eggs. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are useful for coating articles other than egg yolk disks.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Inventor: Eustathios Vassiliou
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Patent number: 5707448Abstract: Substantially uniform distribution of a particulate composition such as a seasoning or spice, on both the top and bottom surfaces of baked good or snack pieces is achieved by applying the composition as a curtain or sheet from within a housing as the substrate pieces are transported and tumbled by counterrotating brushes. The curtain or sheet extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal cavity through which the substrate pieces are transported. The apparatus includes a housing having a raised portion for enclosing and permitting the curtain or sheet to disperse in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity as the composition descends towards the baked good or snack pieces. A lowered portion, downstream of the raised portion of the housing prevents escape of airborne particulate composition to the atmosphere through the baked good or snack piece outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Nabisco Technology CompanyInventors: Robert J. Cordera, Henry M. Andreski
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Patent number: 5693352Abstract: A device and method for decorating an object such as an egg, which has a perimeter surface. The device includes a resilient band adapted for placement about the perimeter of the object to be decorated, the resilient band having a surface and at least one prominent, resilient area for masking. The resilient area for masking is mounted against the surface of the resilient band, so that the resilient band may be placed about the perimeter surface of the object, so that the resilient band will bias the resilient area for masking against the perimeter surface, so that the perimeter surface of the object may be immersed in a colorant, and thereby producing an image on the perimeter surface of the object by preventing colorant to reach the perimeter surface. The method includes providing a resilient band with prominent areas for masking.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Inventor: Deana L. Vogel Goodman
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Patent number: 5676990Abstract: A food wiping condiment container for removing excess condiment from a food article after being dipped thereinto. The condiment container has a body, a thin, flexible cap sealingly attached to the body, and a tear-away strip attached to the cap. When the tear-away strip is torn from the cap, a slit is formed in the cap with mutually opposed slit edges. When a food article is partially inserted into the condiment container through the slit, the slit edges of the cap wipe against the food article. Accordingly, after the food article is partially dipped into a condiment stored inside the condiment container, the slit edges of the cap wipe against the food article to limit the thickness of condiment adhering to the food article as it is moved therepast.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Inventor: David W. Wawrzynski
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Patent number: 5664485Abstract: A conveyor moves a dough sheet along a dough travel path. A filling applicator, located proximate the dough travel path, applies filling to the dough sheet. A cooler is located downstream of the filling applicator along the dough travel path. The cooler cools the filling applied to the dough sheet sufficiently to increase viscosity of the filling prior to the dough sheet being rolled to form a rolled dough product.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: Joseph C. McDilda, Kenneth Litke
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Patent number: 5643360Abstract: An apparatus for a process for wet-treating seeds with an acaricidal, fungicidal, insecticidal or nutritive agent which consists of a foam-forming apparatus comprising a first foam-formation chamber equipped with openings which allow a gas and the aqueous composition containing at least one nonphytotoxic foaming agent to be admitted and containing, downstream of these openings, at least one sieve, this first chamber continuing into a second chamber for compressing and structuring the foam, which ends in an outlet nozzle for the foam.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Ciba-Geigy CorporationInventors: Cornelis Willem Rensing, Hubert Sainsard
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Patent number: 5632819Abstract: An assembly for a seed treating device incorporating a high volume, downwardly tapered hopper with metering gates and a series of high pressure chemical nozzles which laterally introduce a measured chemical treatment to the flow of falling grain or seed inside a spray chamber. A series of valves control the flow of chemicals through the apparatus while sump pump gathers and recirculates excess chemicals from inside the spray chamber for reuse or disposal. The spray chamber exit can be closed with a water tight seal and the system flushed with water and filtered for purposes of cleansing.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Inventor: Robert G. Geissler
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Patent number: 5609684Abstract: The present invention provides a gel-coated seed processing device that comprises a gel-processing nozzle for coating the seed supplied thereto, a curing vessel which is disposed under the gel-processing nozzle and accommodate a curing agent for curing the surface of the gel-coated seeds, and a washing vessel for washing off the surface of the gel-coated seeds after being immersed in the curing vessel, wherein the curing vessel is composed of; a curing vessel main body for accommodating a gelatinizing agent in a receiving section thereof for receiving the gel-coated seeds dropped down thereto and in a gel conveying channel in connection with the receiving section, a pump for circulating the curing agent from the receiving section to the upstream thereof by way of the gel conveying channel, a rectifying plate disposed in the upstream of the receiving section to make the curing agent overflow the horizontal upper end brim thereof, and a horizontal guide wall extendedly disposed in the downstream side of the recType: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Yoichi Ido, Yasushi Kohno
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Patent number: 5591261Abstract: An electromechanical cake decorating apparatus comprising a turntable and base for supporting a cake, a weight sensing circuit for determining the weight of the cake supported by the turntable and for outputting an analog voltage signal proportional to the weight of the cake, signal processor for receiving the analog voltage signal and for converting the analog voltage signal into display information which can be displayed on a digital display, and a digital display for receiving the display information and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to the weight of the cake supported on the turntable.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Too Sweet, Ltd.Inventor: Charles F. Ciaramita
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Patent number: 5575848Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating food with batter, the apparatus including two hollow generally cylindrical containers open at one end and closed at the other end, and a generally hollow cylindrical coupling member open at both ends, each end being adapted to receive the open end of each of said cylindrical containers, the coupling member having a perforated platform therein which divides the coupling member into two cylindrical sections; the method including placing batter in one of the two containers, placing food in one of the two containers, connecting the coupling member to the container having batter therein, connecting the other container to the coupling member to the coupling member, and shaking the assembled coupling member and two containers to cause batter to coat the food.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1994Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Inventor: Darryl J. Chedville
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Patent number: 5567238Abstract: An apparatus for coating seeds and particulate material includes an elongate tray operably mounted on a support frame with a motor for oscillating the tray to move particulate material from a rearward end to a forward end therealong. The tray includes a perforated support surface with a saw-toothed cross-sectional shape such that the particulate climbs the inclined tread of each sawtooth and drops from the forward end of one tread to the rearward end of an adjacent tread to form a "curtain". A plurality of spray nozzles are located over the tray to direct coating solution onto the seeds as they move along the tray. Preferably, the nozzles direct spray towards the curtain of falling seeds between the treads. An upper housing on the support frame includes an air plenum which directs air downwardly onto the seeds on the support surface and through the perforated support surface to a second air plenum formed under the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Coating Machinery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Long, Jr., Donald E. Barber
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Patent number: 5547507Abstract: An electromechanical cake decorating apparatus comprising a turntable and base for supporting a cake, a weight sensing circuit for determining the weight of the cake supported by the turntable and for outputting an analog voltage signal proportional to the weight of the cake, signal processing circuitry for receiving the analog voltage signal and for convening the analog voltage signal into display information which can be displayed on a digital display, and a digital display for receiving the display information and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to the weight of the cake supported on the turntable.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Too Sweet, Ltd.Inventor: Charles F. Ciaramita
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Patent number: 5505775Abstract: A cake decoration system employing an integrated work surface having integral cake positioning guides in a first portion of the surface, a flat bed image scanner in a second portion of the surface, and an operator interface with display and entry keys incorporated in a third portion of the work surface provides an efficient self-contained cake decorating station. A motion control system using a traveling arm extending over the work surface to carry a colorant cartridge with a drop on demand colorant expulsion system all under the control of a central processor allows transfer of images obtained on the scanner to the surface of a cake to be decorated by use of a pixel map. Use of a multiple orifice drop on demand colorant expulsion system allows one pass three color printing on the article being decorated.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Inventor: John Kitos
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Patent number: 5498286Abstract: A dosing apparatus has a tap member and a housing member. The tap member has opposing planar surfaces which extend between opposing sides, and an aperture extends through the tap member from one opposing surface to the other. The housing member has a base plate which has opposing planar surfaces and an opening which extends through the base plate from one opposing base plate surface to the other. Two opposing housing member sidewalls each extend from the base plate and have a groove which slidably engages two opposing sides of the tap member so that the tap member is positioned between the sidewall so that one tap member planar surface faces one base plate planar surface and so that the housing member is slidably reciprocative in two opposing directions along the tap member opposing sides. The tap member aperture and base plate opening are positioned so that upon sliding of the housing member in one direction of reciprocation, the base plate opening is positioned in communication with the tap member aperture.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Slobodan Milohanic
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Patent number: 5480664Abstract: A coating of creamy material, for example chocolate, is applied by spraying by making the chocolate mass flow to a main nozzle surrounded by an auxiliary nozzle to which air is supplied under pressure. During the spraying, the chocolate mass cools and hardens.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Soremartec S.A.Inventor: Pietro Ferrero
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Patent number: 5409533Abstract: An apparatus which is intended to apply butter from a mass thereof in solid condition to a slice of bread. A housing contains a transfer member connected with the housing by connecting structure which supports the transfer member for sliding motion. A plurality of openings extends through the transfer member. The transfer member and the mass of butter are moved into contact to cause a portion of the butter to enter the openings. The transfer member and the mass of butter are separated to sever the butter within the openings from the mass of butter to leave the openings at least partially filled with butter. The slice of bread is supported with a surface thereof to be buttered spaced adjacent and facing toward the openings in the transfer member. Gas under pressure is directed through the openings to propel the butter within the openings outwardly therefrom into contact with the surface of the slice of bread.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Inventor: Laurence H. Pretty
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Patent number: 5370734Abstract: A coating of creamy material, for example chocolate, is applied by spraying by making the chocolate mass flow to a main nozzle surrounded by an auxiliary nozzle to which air is supplied under pressure. During the spraying, the chocolate mass cools and hardens.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Soremartec S.A.Inventor: Pietro Ferrero
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Patent number: 5370884Abstract: The combination candy sucker and edible powder is a novelty candy holding device designed for the combination of a hard sucker type candy with a powder or granular candy in a self contained housing. The holding device has two parts. The top cap has a hard sucker type candy and the plastic housing contains the powder or granular candy. After removing the top cap, the hard candy is moistened and then dipped into the powder or granular candy. The sucker is then covered with the powder or granular candy giving a different and unique taste for children to enjoy.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1994Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: B.A.A.T. Enterprises Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Coleman
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Patent number: 5238493Abstract: This invention provides a cost effective, simple and sanitary breading machine suitable for coating a variety of food products, such as poultry, with different types of breading materials. After coating of upper and lower surfaces of food products introduced into the breading machine, a significant dwell time within the breading machine is achieved in the construction to allow breading material to more effectively set up on the coated food products. The coating machine further includes structure to enable the food products introduced therein to be flipped a plurality of times, wherein additional coating material is continuously applied to alternate sides of the food products and desirable coating characteristics are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1991Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Stein, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Miller
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Patent number: 5236502Abstract: An apparatus for coating a foodstuff with a particulate material has an endless meshed conveyor belt which is trained about a hollowed roller which has a longitudinally extending wall having apertures therethrough and about which the belt travels from a lower return run to an upper forward run. A baffle is positioned beneath at least a portion of the lower return run of the belt and is arced from the lower return belt run towards the upper forward belt run. A rotatable shaft from which radial wings protrude is positioned within the hollowed roller interior.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1991Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Lars G. A. Wadell
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Patent number: 5209779Abstract: A bakery icing spreader includes an elongate spine or handle portion sized for ease of grasping by a baker. A plurality of tines depend in spaced relation and like direction from said handle and are sufficiently long and have sufficient surface area to retain icing thereon for a time after the tines are dipped in a bakery icing pan. The loaded spreader is then manually passed over pieces of bakery baked on batch-type trays and a stream of icing falls onto the bakery in any pattern manipulated by a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Inventor: Robert Talerico
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Patent number: 5180602Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for making confectionary or other shell goods by the method of filling a mold with a desired media and then inverting the mold to drain the media from the mold while leaving the mold coated by a layer of the media, thereby forming a hollow shell inside the mold. The mold travels through the apparatus on a conveyor. A sliding table is used to provide a turning point which defines the mechanism by which the mold is inverted. The sliding table receiprocates back and forth between extended and retracted positions along the direction of travel of the conveyor so that the speed of inverting the mold can be increased as the sliding table is retracted or decreased as the sliding table is extended.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: APV Baker Inc.Inventors: Ross S. Bainbridge, Gordon Steels
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Patent number: 5164009Abstract: A device is provided for supporting an egg-shaped article for adjusted angular displacement about its major dimension center axis and guide structure is provided paralleling the axis and having a follower supported therefrom for movement therealong. A marking instrument is supported from the follower for movement along a path extending toward and away from the axis and intersecting therewith in a plane containing the axis and the marking instrument and follower also include structure for selectively supporting the marking instrument from the follower for movement toward and away from the axis in planes paralleling and spaced equally on opposite sides of the first mentioned plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1992Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Inventor: Erie H. Chandler