Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage displaying a printed design image upon a foamed portion of the beverage. The invention further discloses a device and method for same. In the invention, an automated printer is used, comprising a movable printing head, loaded with an edible liquid ink, to print a design of interest upon the beverage foam. In some embodiments, the beverage is coffee and the liquid ink is a second coffee essence. The invention additionally discloses business methods comprising printing an advertisement upon a foamed portion of a beverage, or selling a beverage displaying a printed image upon a foamed portion of the beverage.

Abstract: A three-dimensional drawing device can include a housing configured for to be held in user's hand, shaped to allow manipulation of the housing like a pen, and configured to accept a strand of thermoplastic material. The drawing device has a nozzle assembly with an exit nozzle and a motor connected to a gear train that engages the strand such that rotation of the motor causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object. The motor can be controlled using a variable speed control mechanism or first and second actuators, thereby controlling movement of the strand, for example, to advance or retract the strand relative to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A system for coating fruit with a substance utilizing a vat that stores a coating substance which can be applied via a dipping process. A dipping cover having a rim is provided for engaging an upper rim of the vat. A dipping tray carries a plurality of fruit items and includes a plurality of receptacles for carrying the fruit items. The dipping tray has a profile smaller than the interior of the vat allowing the dipping tray to be lowered so that the coating substance contained within the interior of the vat may engage the fruit. The dipping cover is configured for supporting the dipping tray in an elevated position once the fruit has been coated allowing excess coating to be vibrated off the dipped fruit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for arranging sprinkling material, such as seed, on a dough piece, including at least one member for arranging the sprinkling material on a surface for dough pieces and at least one member for placing the dough piece on the surface provided with the sprinkling material, and also further including in an advantageous embodiment at least one member for applying an adhesive such as water to at least a part of the dough piece to be provided with the sprinkling material, wherein the at least one member for placing the dough piece are adapted to place the dough piece with the part provided with the adhesive facing toward the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an image, such as a decoration, to a surface of a food item, such as a cake or other similar item. An input image is selected from a source of images. The input image can be displayed and then transferred, such as through a lens to form an output image. The output image can be projected onto the food item and traced into a decoration.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated decoration of a food product, the apparatus includes: a transporter configured to move the food product to a decoration area of the apparatus; a detector configured to detect the food product in the decoration area; a deposition mechanism disposed above the decoration area, the deposition mechanism comprising a sliding plate disposed between a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate; wherein, in a first position of the sliding plate, cavities extending though the sliding plate are aligned with cavities extending through the first fixed plate, and in a second position, the cavities extending through the sliding plate are aligned with cavities extending through the second fixed plate.

Abstract: A frosting dispenser apparatus including a rotatable platform is described. The frosting dispenser apparatus comprises a body having a base and a pedestal, a rotatable platform is connected with the base and configured to rotate a baked good. Further, a dispenser is connected with the pedestal. The dispenser is located above the rotatable platform. The frosting dispenser apparatus is formed to be easy to use for a child. Additionally, the present invention includes a frosting dispenser apparatus kit which includes a frosting dispenser apparatus, a frosting, a baking mix, a mixing container, a mixing utensil, and a baking container.

Abstract: The present invention features a telescopic turntable to allow a user to decorate a bakery item at various heights comprising a base for supporting a tube in a vertical position, a cake tray at the top of the tube, and a utensil tray at the middle portion of the tube.

Abstract: A method of decorating the surface of foodstuffs with photographic quality images using a combination system of edible inks and edible media that maintains the integrity of the photographic quality image and remains edible and palatable over prolonged exposure to the surface of the foodstuff.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cake-surrounded, self-standing device for applying, and a method for applying a decorative colorful rain of edible particles or sugars to the existing frosting, icing or prepared surface of same cake by launching small edible and delicate candy particles or sugars from a particle containing chamber within the cake by the use of a pressure controlled remote air pump, internal mechanical spring release piston, or pyrotechnic activated gas pressure piston in such a manner so as to control the height, direction and effect of the particles being released to a pre-determined height and returning back down onto and only onto the surface of the cake in a distinct and well defined pattern and in an entertaining and surprise fashion. Such an expelling device is known in the industry as a mine or a fountain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for coating food items, such as dough-based products, with sugar-based toppings such as glazes, icings, chocolate coatings, and the like. The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a gentle transfer of sugar-based coatings from a first container where the coatings are maintained in a fluid form suitable for coating, to a second container which comprises an applicator for coating the food product. Also described are systems for making freshly prepared food products at the point of sale comprising having the first steps of production take place at a manufacturing unit, and the final steps of production take place at the retail setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: A tool used to sculpt the icing on a baked good. The tool includes a handle having opposing inner sides with a channel formed in at least one inner side. The inner sides of the handle define a cavity therebetween. The tool also includes at least one blade with a protrusion that is sized and shaped to engage the channel in the inner side of the handle so that the blade is removably positioned within the handle cavity. The blade also includes decorative tips that extend from each end of the blade. The tool further includes a clip that secures the opposing sides of the handle together to form the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating hams is provided. Sugar is uniformly dispensed on an inclined plate that is heated to melt the sugar. The sugar flows into a reservoir from which it is poured onto hams passing below the reservoir on a conveyor. Spices are poured onto the melted sugar that sticks to the ham to form a glaze. Jets of water can cool the glaze to increase retention on the ham. The process can be repeated.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying glaze to warmed doughnuts includes a base, an oven supported on the base, a food finishing area located below the oven, and a discharge area at an output of the food finishing area. A drive mechanism includes first couplings positioned in the food finishing area and discharge area. Supports, fixed to the base, project outward adjacent to each of the drive mechanism first couplings. Two conveyor units are included, each conveyor unit including a chassis and a driving component having a second coupling and supporting belt. Each conveyor unit chassis is mounted on the supports so that the second coupling engages one of the first couplings to provide power from the drive mechanism to the conveyor units' driving components. The conveyors are releasable as a unit from the supports to facilitate cleaning of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating hams is provided. Sugar is uniformly dispensed on an inclined plate that is heated to melt the sugar. The sugar flows into a reservoir from which it is poured onto hams passing below the reservoir on a conveyor. Spices are poured onto the melted sugar that sticks to the ham to form a glaze. Jets of water can cool the glaze to increase retention on the ham. The process can be repeated.

Abstract: This cake decorator has an axial cylinder and a powered piston controlled by twisting an axial rotary actuator switch in one direction or another.

Abstract: A cake and pastry decorating system incorporating a hand-held icing mixing wand having a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle. Base icing is supplied to the mixing chamber and one or more colorants are selectively supplied through a flexible hose to the mixing chamber. Icing is dispensed from the mixing chamber through the dispensing nozzle directly on the cake or pastry in patterns determined by the position of the hand-held icing mixing wand and shape of the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method for making and an apparatus for applying a chocolate coating to a confectionery to produce a confectionary with a laced appearing coating. The laced appearing coating preferably includes more than one type of chocolate, preferably two types of chocolate. Advantageously, the laced appearing coating is formed from two layers of chocolate, a foundation chocolate layer and a laced chocolate layer, thus giving the laced appearing chocolate coating a three dimensional texture.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for preparing chocolate coatings having a marbled appearance, and confectionery products having a component provided with a chocolate coating having a marbled appearance thereon.

Abstract: A decorative food formed of a plurality of kinds of fluid food materials and manufactured by using a mold is provided. The decorative food has an outside shape thereof conforming to an interior surface of the mold inclusive of an opening of said mold. The decorative food has a colored pattern divided into multiple divisions extending up to a central portion of the decorative food, in a direction to extrude the food materials into the mold, the colored pattern being formed such that the multiple divisions are arranged with substantially the same ratio at any of a cross sectional area intersecting the direction to extrude the food materials, and wherein the decorative food contains therein a foodstuff. Also disclosed are an apparatus and method for manufacturing the decorative food.

Abstract: A method and apparati for preparing and displaying a donut having a "fresh-baked" quality in a retail environment principally uses standard equipment available in a typical convenience store or quick-service restaurant. The method utilizes pre-frozen donuts manufactured at a centralized manufacturing facility and involves thawing, storing and heating the frozen donuts at the point-of-service. The donuts are thawed under refrigeration but in a generally humidity-constant environment. This on-site procedure allows a retailer to quickly and conveniently produce a moist, fresh-tasting donut with minimum equipment and effort. Furthermore, the present production method allows the retailer to control the number and type of donuts produced for sale, thereby substantially eliminating waste and allowing the retailer to immediately tailor donut production to local consumer demand. An improved applicator eases the glazing process to permit relatively inexperienced personnel to properly glaze the donuts.

Abstract: In the housing is a motor and gear train driven by the motor, the train adapted to selectively engage a gear rack secured to the compression element to drive it down to squeeze the collapsible frosting container. When the train has moved into engagement, it closes a switch activating the motor.

Abstract: A machine adapted to print an image as hereinbefore defined onto a surface of an edible substrate, the machine including a bubble-jet printer head assembly, and including a container for containing a liquid food colorant, a surface for supporting the said edible substrate, said surface and said head assembly being movable relative to each other, and a controller for controlling the said head assembly with printing instructions and for causing said relative movement in accordance with the desired image to be printed upon a edible substrate. This invention also included a method of printing an image onto an edible substrate.

Abstract: Concave portions, in which patterns to be put to a surface of a confectionery are formed, are provided to one surface of a confectionery pattern intaglio, the concave portions are charged with ingredients paste, and the ingredients paste are solidified. As a result, the same pattern can be mass-produced successively. In the case where the intaglio is removed from the ingredients paste, a printed material is bond to the ingredients paste so that a confectionery sheet is manufactured, and in the case where the intaglio is not removed, the print material is or is not bond to the ingredients paste so that a confectionery sheet is manufactured. When a side face of a confectionery main body is covered with this confectionery sheet, for example, confectionery with excellent decoration can be manufactured by simple operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An novel egg holder is claimed. The egg holder is used in combination with a tray and dye containing liquid for coloring eggs.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for production of a layered extruded article has an extrusion nozzle positioned for extruding an extrudable composition in a vertical downward direction. The nozzle has a fixed upper part, a joint member and a lower mobile part having a slot extrusion die. The joint member connects the upper and lower parts so that the lower part is rotatable about a central vertical axis of the lower part so that upon rotation of the lower part and extrusion of the extrudable composition, a helical ribbon is formed. A spray nozzle is positioned for spraying a sprayable composition into the passage of the helical ribbon between helical peak flights, and a support, which may be advanced continuously or step-by-step, is positioned beneath the extrusion and spray nozzles for receiving the sprayed, extruded composition.

Abstract: This invention is related to an apparatus for automatically producing confectionery cakes or the like, comprising at least one station for processing or shaping cakes or the like set on an upper plate, drive and guide pulleys rotatably provided underneath said station or stations, a pair of parallel endless conveyor belts passed round said drive and guide pulleys, and holders provided at a predetermined pitch on said conveyor belts for keeping upper plates on said conveyor belts, said upper plates each being displaced in the lengthwise direction of said conveyor belts and widthwise direction perpendicular to said lengthwise direction for processing shaping cakes or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for delivering viscous or pasty food materials such as batter or sugar confectionery, and especially for producing complex decorative shapes. The apparatus comprises a fitting connected to a pump and formed with a row of discharge nozzles, each with a non-symmetrical orifice, and an independent variable speed motor for rotating the nozzles simultaneously while the material is discharged. The nozzles are readily removable for cleaning.