Abstract: A coater for coating a material with a solution or a suspension includes an access door and a process port separately openable within a housing. A rotating coating drum is removably connected with respect to the coater and the coater is configured for exchange of drums having a wide range of production capacities.

Abstract: A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for tilting the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface.

Abstract: A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising a submerger or an overflow structure positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for positioning the structure vertically relative to the main batter tank. The actuatable means for positioning the structure vertically relative to the main batter tank includes a rotatable shaft operably coupled to a gear box, a screw lift assembly operably coupled to the gear box and a hand wheel operably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising at least one of a submerger and an overflow structure that is adapted to be positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for tilting the structure relative to a reference horizontal surface.

Abstract: A batter applicator with an adjustable coating mechanism is disclosed which includes a frame, a main batter tank, a structure comprising a submerger or an overflow structure positioned proximate the main batter tank and actuatable means for positioning the structure vertically relative to the main batter tank. The actuatable means for positioning the structure vertically relative to the main batter tank includes a rotatable shaft operably coupled to a gear box, a screw lift assembly operably coupled to the gear box and a hand wheel operably coupled to the shaft.

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 vacuum tumbler for marinating food products within a liquid. The vacuum tumbler comprises a container having an interior wall, the interior wall defining a chamber for containing the liquid. A rib extends inwardly from the interior wall at least one-quarter of the distance across the chamber. A drive moves the container so that the rib brings the food products into and out of contact with the liquid, and a vacuum source creates a partial vacuum within the chamber.

Abstract: Application of a release agent onto the interior surfaces of a commercial bakery trough is accomplished by a system for dispensing a gel having two spray head assemblies. While the trough is stationary, each head in turn descends into the trough and propels the release agent onto a portion of the interior surfaces including side walls, an end wall, and the bottom wall of the trough. Each head includes a disc that spins to distribute the release agent. An edge on the disc defines a predetermined spray pattern. Waste of release agent due to overspray is minimized by controlling a release agent valve in the head, controlling disc rotation, and monitoring position of the head in the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating food products with sauce while simultaneously deep freezing them comprises a rotatable drum (10) in a horizontal position, on the inner wall surface of which a driving plate is disposed and which has an opening (16) at an end face.

Abstract: Particles are enrobed or coated by introducing, to a spinning cup having an outwardly upwardly extending inner surface with an upper edge, a liquid coating material and particles of greater density than the coating material. The coating material and particles are introduced inboard of the peripheral surface, perferably in separate streams. The speed of rotation of the spinning cup is controlled to cause the coating material to climb up the surface but to stop short of the upper edge, and at the same time to cause the particles to travel through the coating material, be enrobed with the coating liquid, climb out of the liquid coating material, and be ejected over the upper edge. The spinning cup is symmetrical about a central vertical axis. It has a peripheral surface sloping outwardly upwardly, which surface can be stepped outwardly upwardly, and a control device is provided for controlling the speed of rotation of the spinning cup.

Abstract: An assembly for speeding the process of finishing doughnuts with icings and condiments, the table being elongated and having a horizontal upper surface and an elongated opening therein providing opposed parallel ledges lengthwise of the table and, having below the table upper surface and within the elongated opening, opposed horizontal ledges of reduced spacing therebetween, and including a plurality of rectangular shallow depth pans for receiving doughnuts thereon, the pans having, at the opposed end walls, outwardly extending lip portions, the length of the pan between the end walls being such that the lip portions slide upon the spacing between the table parallel upper surface ledges, and a plurality of pans having end walls of spacing less than that of the trays and having outwardly extending lip portions which engage the lower horizontal ledges of the table so that the trays may be slid upon the table within the opening and over the icings and condiments containing pans.

Abstract: A breading machine for selectively dispensing flour breading or free flowing breading onto a food product, and wherein the machine has a frame and conveyor structure supported on the frame defining a conveyance path having a product inlet end and a product outlet end, and a breading hopper attached to the frame adjacent the inlet end for applying a coating of breading to the food product, and breading pumping slot structure attached to the frame for providing breading to the input end of the conveyor, with a fluffer mechanism mounted on the pumping slot structure for breaking up any caking or lumping of the breading on the conveyor prior to the point of introduction of the food product to the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for preparing and cooking corn dogs which are batter coated weiners upon a stick has a fry tank and coating bin mounted on a frame. Food articles are impaled by sticks driven through clasps in holes in a stick clamp. The food articles are dipped into a coating substance by elevation of the coating bin. The articles are elevated by rotating or flipping them above the lip of the fry tank and immersed in hot grease within the fry tank, cooked, and then elevated by rotating or flipping them out of the fry tank. The sticks are unclasped from the stick clamps and placed on a receiving tray. Thermostatically controlled heating elements suspended above the floor of the tank heat the grease.

Abstract: A process for preparing and cooking corn dogs which are batter coated weiners upon a stick has a fry tank and coating bin mounted on a frame. Food articles are impaled by sticks driven through clasps in slots in a stick clamp. The food articles are dipped into a coating substance by elevation of the coating bin. The articles are elevated by rotating or flipping them above the lip of the fry tank and immersed in hot grease within the fry tank, cooked, and then elevated by rotating or flipping them out of the fry tank. The sticks are unclasped from the stick clamps and placed on a receiving tray. Thermostatically controlled heating elements suspended above the floor of the tank heat the grease.

Abstract: A corn buttering device for applying a coating of butter or butter substitute to an ear of corn comprising a pan for containing a heated liquid and a receptacle mounted in the pan for containing liquid butter. The pan is provided with a cover which has a recessed upper surface for receiving and supporting an ear of corn therein. The recess in the cover is provided with an elongate slot which communicates with the butter receptacle when the cover is moved downwardly to tilt the receptacle and cause butter to pour through the recess slot and contact an ear of corn. The recess slot is normally closed by a movable wall member which is displaced from the slot during downward movement of the cover on the pan. The cover containing an ear of corn therein is maintained in an upper position on the pan until manually displaced to a lowermost position for applying butter to the corn.