By Stuffing Or Applying Particulate Material Patents (Class 99/494)
  • Patent number: 11067352
    Abstract: An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearms gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pins annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end and an extractor recess. The extractor recess is constructed to accommodate an enlarged extractor claw while not undercutting the bolt lugs adjacent thereto. The extractor engages approximately 57% more of a seated ammunition cartridges rim as compared to some prior art AR15/M16 type extractors used with automatic firearms chambered in 6.8 SPC. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: LWRC International LLC
    Inventor: Jesus S. Gomez
  • Patent number: 10694755
    Abstract: A method for the production of a food item having a filling includes conveying a food item to a first filling station. The filling station has a first rotating stencil with a first plurality of filling discharge ports. At least one first filling segment is formed by discharging filling, through the discharge ports, onto the food item. The food item is conveyed to a second filling station. The second filling station has a second rotating stencil with a second plurality of filling discharge ports. At least one additional filling segment is formed by discharging filling, through the second plurality discharge ports, onto the food item wherein the at least one additional filling segment is disposed on the food item adjacent to the at least one first filling segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Mihaelos N. Mihalos, Chris E. Robinson, Supapong Siris, Rachel DeCagna
  • Patent number: 9504268
    Abstract: A filling means for filling an edible cone with a frozen confection comprising: a tubular housing which surrounds and is coaxial with a piston; the piston having a longitudinal passage which has an outlet at the lower end and an inlet at the upper end; and means for supplying the frozen confection to the inlet of the longitudinal passage of the piston, wherein the tubular housing has an outlet at the lower end which is a nozzle having vertical slits and the outlet of the longitudinal passage of the piston is a nozzle having a rounded aperture and wherein the piston is longitudinally movable within the tubular housing such that when the piston is seated within the tubular housing the piston covers the vertical slits, and when the piston is raised within the tubular housing the vertical slits are uncovered is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventor: Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 9364151
    Abstract: A method substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9016194
    Abstract: A sandwich cookie dipper for dipping sandwich cookies in milk includes a handle, a cookie cradle and a transition element that interconnects to and sets off the cookie cradle from the handle. The cookie cradle comprises a thin, resilient rod-like member configured to substantially conform to a part of an outer circumference of a crème layer sandwiched between two disk-like cookie members of a sandwich cookie. The sandwich cookie secured thereby is less likely to dislodge as it is dipped and brought to the cookie eater's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Haleluk
  • Publication number: 20150072051
    Abstract: The invention relates to olive processing, and includes methods for producing low-acid olives, as well as the olives produced thereby. In one aspect, the invention provides compositions directed towards packaged olive preparations having novel and beneficial characteristics, for example, olive preparations that are free of packing liquids such as brine solutions. In other aspects, the packaged olive preparations of the invention can have other beneficial properties, such as extended shelf life, have flavor infusions, and/or can be stuffed with various flavored stuffings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Abdulkadir Yussuf Sigal, Larry Brion McCutcheon, Jesus Lopez Garcia, Maria Valeria THEALL
  • Patent number: 8960119
    Abstract: A drum-type coating apparatus for applying breading material to food products is configured to eliminate, in most circumstances, a hard cylindrical drum, to be replaced by a U-hanging belt, the belly of which provides all the operative utility of a cylindrical hard drum, but better than that, provides more clearance for cleaning operations, since the upper hemi-cylinder of a hard cylindrical drum provides no utility for tumbling purposes and only, to make matters worse, obstructs cleaning operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Robert G. Nothum, Jr., Robert M. Nothum
  • Patent number: 8955427
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing pits from prunes or other soft fruit, including holders defining pockets for holding soft fruit, an excess fruit removal assembly (e.g., comprising one or more paddle wheels), a pitting knife assembly, and a holder drive assembly for translating the holders along a closed loop. Each pocket defined by each holder is movable between open and closed configurations as the holder is translated around the loop. Each holder includes a top chuck plate shaped to guide an article of fruit into each pocket with reduced risk that excess fruit (fruit not properly seated in a pocket) will remain lodged on the chuck plate after the holder has translated past the excess fruit removal assembly. Other aspects are a chuck plate configured for use as a top chuck plate of a fruit holder of a pitting apparatus, and a fruit holder including such a chuck plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ashlock Company, a division of Vistan Corporation
    Inventor: Claudio Cortez Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8925596
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Mark J. Freudinger
  • Publication number: 20140366750
    Abstract: A food coating apparatus includes a drum assembly with an input end for receiving coating material and food product, a hollow body for mixing the coating material and the food product to form coated food product and used coating material, and an output end for allowing coated food product and used coating material to exit the drum assembly. A basket is arranged adjacent to the output end of the drum assembly to retain the coated food product and pass the used coating material that exit the drum assembly. A funnel pan collects and funnels the used coating material passed by the basket into a sifter which separates the used coating material into refuse and reusable coating material. A reclamation receptacle receives the reusable coating material from the sifter and is removable from the food coating apparatus to enable pouring the reusable coating material from the receptacle into the drum assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Chad Harned, James Bell, Donald King
  • Publication number: 20140335247
    Abstract: Provided herein is a continuous production line for a dressed proteinaceous patties with a solid food grade particulate using a coordinated volumetric toothed dispensing cylinder and variable speed conveyor for precisely controlled introduction of the particulate to a stream of proteinaceous material which is then formed into a patty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited
    Inventors: Brent J. M. Cator, John Pound, Frank Florindo, Kelly Moriyama, Carlos DaSilva
  • Patent number: 8869736
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a powder spray apparatus for preparing a food product having an edible pearlescent coating, comprising: a spray zone having a spray device positioned proximate to at least one food product located in the spray zone for application of an edible pearlescent powder to the food product; a chamber for holding the edible pearlescent powder that is in fluid communication with the spray device; and a vibrator and/or a continuous forced air supply that assists in fluidizing the edible pearlescent powder in the chamber for delivery to the spray device. A method of using this apparatus and an edible pearlescent powder composition adapted for use in this apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Lucille M. Scudieri, Kirk Hisashi Fujioka, Rodger Dale Ellis, Michael S. Wozniak, Alfred V. Camporini
  • Publication number: 20140120235
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing treats is presented. A vending machine for building custom ordered treats includes an enclosed housing with windows. A robot is inside the housing and first and second user interfaces are attached to the housing. The first and second user interfaces accept inputs from first and second users respectively. The robot has left and right arms as well as a simulated head to make it appear somewhat human like. The left and right arms work together to assemble a single treat when only one treat has been requested at the vending machine. However, when two different treats have been requested the left arm can work independently, at least sometimes, of the right arm on a custom treat for the first user. Similarly, the right arm can, at least sometimes, work independently of the left arm on a custom treat for the second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Allan S. Jones, James S. Wolf, Jeffrey L. Redington, Todd A. Smith, Ward Beckwith, David E. Brain, Eric F. Marcil
  • Patent number: 8662007
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for continuously coating cores by means of a dragée-making apparatus (15) comprising at least one rotatably driven drum (1) in which the product (5) is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes, such as spraying, drying. In order to be able to individually treat several small charges within a very limited space and with little effort regarding machines, the charge of the product that is to be processed is divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum, is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner, and is treated in individual treatment chambers (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in the drum, which are separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor (3) that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Driam Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Dunajtschik, Oliver Nohynek
  • Patent number: 8642104
    Abstract: A method of producing a confectionery product includes the steps of: a) depositing at least one confectionery mass by allowing it to flow into a mold, b) depositing at least one particulate material in and/or on the confectionery mass; and c) repeating at least step a) at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Melis Abylov, Dieter Stephan Simbuerger, Juraj Durco
  • Publication number: 20140013962
    Abstract: Technologies are provided herein for processing edible materials using tools associated with a fabrication system. In one aspect, a fabricator includes a control module and a drive assembly controlled by the control module. The fabricator also includes at least one food processing tool head coupled to the drive assembly that can process material for fabricating an edible structure on a build surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey I. Lipton, Hod Lipson
  • Patent number: 8567309
    Abstract: A stuffing hand tool for inserting food material into pitted or cored produce items such as olives, figs, strawberries, cherries, which includes a body easily gripped with one hand by a user allowing a tube projecting from one end to be pressed into a mass of food material creating a plug of food material retained in the tube which is stuffed into an item when a plunger is advanced by depressing a pusher cylinder extended out from the opposite end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher L. Hawker, Phillip Campbell
  • Publication number: 20130247780
    Abstract: An apparatus applies a food coating to a food product. The apparatus includes a hopper for storing the food coating and a food coating applicator for applying the food coating from the hopper onto the food product. The apparatus also includes a basin for catching unused food coating and a return conveyor for moving unused food coating from the basin to the breading hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: JEFF RAYMOND, Alan Strause
  • Patent number: 8528470
    Abstract: A method for treating a product suitable for human consumption, for example, a meat product, such as slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, in which a large number of products are successively supplied, optionally in groups, to an inspection station in which each product is subjected to a visual inspection to detect a defect on the respective product. If a decision is made to provide a specific additive-addition treatment to a product, the product is supplied to an additive-addition station, where the product is subjected to an additive-addition treatment and an additive is added to at least one part of the outside of each product or the inside of each product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Stork PMT B.V.
    Inventors: Andries Johan Martijn Kuijpers, Maurice Eduardus Theodorus van Esbroeck, Adrianus Josephes van den Nieuwelaar
  • Patent number: 8443752
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Rademaker B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Josephus Antonius Van Blokland
  • Publication number: 20130078347
    Abstract: Method for treating a large number of meat products, in particular slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, in which an additive is added to the meat products. The meat products are supplied to additive-adding means using a conveyor means, the conveyor means being designed to feed the meat products sequentially in groups or separately. The additive-adding means subject each meat product or each group of meat products to an additive-adding treatment which is adapted to the corresponding meat product or to the corresponding group of meant products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING B V
    Inventor: MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING B V
  • Patent number: 8377528
    Abstract: An additive delivery laminate, suitable for cooking a food product and transferring a colorant, flavorant, and/or odorant to a food product, has an additive delivery layer comprising a thermoplastic layer and water-soluble granules containing a food additive. The laminate further comprises a substrate layer to which the additive delivery layer is bonded. The additive delivery layer is placed in contact with the food product to be packaged, with the granules thereafter dissolving and the additive being transferred to the food product. The additive can be transferred during cook-in or otherwise. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the additive delivery laminate and a process for preparing a packaged food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Kyle, Steven T. Calvert, Hillary Crawford, David Herndon, Milissa Smith
  • Patent number: 8342117
    Abstract: There is provided a coating apparatus capable of continuously producing coated rice having powdered coating material adhered to the grains and including a drying process to prevent the grains from being bonded to one another and make the grain surfaces smoother upon drying of the grains. The coating apparatus comprising a binder coating unit for applying liquid binder to the grains being conveyed through a coating and stirring chamber to coat the grain surfaces with the binder; a adhering unit for adding powder material to the grains conveyed through a adhering and stirring chamber to adhere the powdered material to the grain surface by the binder; and a drying unit including a drying and stirring chamber through which the grains are conveyed while being stirred, a blow passage for blowing hot air into the drying chamber to dry the grains, and an exhaust passage for exhausting the hot air from the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukumori, Shigeharu Kanemoto, Hidenori Mizuno, Syuji Morito, Hiroyuki Maehara, Keishi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8286549
    Abstract: An apparatus for stuffing a pasty food that includes an applicator sleeve arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end of a stuffing tube. At least a portion of the applicator sleeve surrounds the stuffing tube about part or its complete circumference and the applicator sleeve supplies one or more strips coated and/or impregnated with transferable additives to the stuffing tube, with the strips being ultimately applied to the pasty food. The innovation further relates to a foodstuff in a tubular casing (e.g. sausage skin), in which at least one strip is arranged between the foodstuff and the surrounding casing, the strip being coated and/or impregnated with at least one transferable additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kalle GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Auf Der Heide, Martina Koenig
  • Publication number: 20120219673
    Abstract: A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet is supported (e.g., removably) above the lower sheet. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions. A plunger is provided having a head, a lower end portion with a shaft having a lower pushing surface and a joint, joining the head to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Michael P. Bourgeois, Norman R. Bourgeois, Barbara Bourgeois
  • Publication number: 20120210885
    Abstract: A device and system for inserting at least a portion of a first edible material into an interior of a food product is provided. The device includes a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an axis, and a plunger associated with the body and adapted to move along the axis. The device also includes a spring adapted to urge the plunger along the axis toward the second end, and at least one hollow cylindrical head adapted to be removably mounted to the first end of the body. A first end of the plunger is adapted to move into an interior of the head mounted to the first end of the body when the plunger is moved against the urging of the spring toward the first end of the body. A method of changing heads of an apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: NORMAN KAY, Rachel SAMAROO
  • Patent number: 8234972
    Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, James D. Conlin, Thomas J. Franken, Andrew Paul Franklin, Randy L. Ginner, Ronald J. Glavan, Scott A. Glawe, David A. Hill, Michael J. Newberry, Jack Pellicane, Manuel Calzada, Henry Thomas Ewald
  • Patent number: 8234997
    Abstract: A distribution apparatus for a breading machine comprising a hopper having a number of hopper sections includes a downspout for conveying the breading material to the hopper and a spreader plate which is adjustably supported between the downspout and the hopper. By adjusting the position of the spreader plate relative to the hopper, the flow of breading material from the downspout may be distributed as desired between the hopper sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Paschoalini, Jacob Deehr
  • Patent number: 8210118
    Abstract: A breading machine for dispensing a coating material onto a food product includes a breading chamber, a continuous conveyor for transporting food products through the breading chamber, a hopper including at least one downspout and a sloped bottom for dispensing coating material onto the food products, a hopper conveyor positioned within the hopper. At least one of an angular position or a vertical position of the hopper conveyor is adjustable to accommodate a variety of free flowing and non-free flowing coating materials. One or more air knives may be positioned in the downspouts to fluidize the coating material to alleviate bridging and/or build-up of the coating material within the downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Stacy, Jeffery L. Schoewe, Michael E. Miller, John Joseph Bauer, Jogesh Chandran, Roy Allen Schippel
  • Publication number: 20120136460
    Abstract: A food processing machine, such as a filling machine and/or twisting line for the manufacture of foods, particularly sausages, and a corresponding operating method, having at least one function module and at least one control section for controlling the corresponding function modules. Through at least one activation device, and after the input of an access authorization, at least one function module can be activated and/or one performance range from a plurality of possible performance ranges of at least one function module can be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: ALBERT HANDTMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Maile
  • Patent number: 8181592
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating products is disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus comprises a vibration generating portion and a product coating portion. The product coating portion can include a coating application portion, a sifting portion, and an aligning portion. The exemplary apparatus can include a coating recycle portion as well. The vibration generation portion further comprises a motor vibration assembly secured to a frame wherein the frame is in communication with the product coating portion, such as a pan assembly, by springs that move the pan assembly with a vibratory motion. The product coating portion includes a series of angled steps that guide the coating and vibrating product upwards and forward, while simultaneously allowing the product to be agitated against the coating resting on the step surface. Additionally, the product coating portion can include a moveable wire belt conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Vibratory Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James Karpinsky, James Bakos, Scott Rose, Travis Renkly
  • Publication number: 20120048126
    Abstract: A cooking utensil which comprises a container from one region of which there projects a handle and which is constructed and intended to resist the heat generated around the container when the container is filled with herbs, spices, stuffing or the like and the utensil is inserted, container foremost and handle rearmost, into the inside of e.g. a bird such as a turkey which is then place in an oven to be cooked; the container being perforated so that, in use, juices generated within it will infuse into the bird; and the construction and material of the utensil being such that as it heats up, it releases its heat into the bird's inside as and/or after the bird cooks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Graham Tweed
  • Patent number: 8104399
    Abstract: A cage for holding a filling material includes a housing have a first part and a second part. An orifice is defined between the first part and the second part for holding a filling material. The housing is shaped in a manner such that is it insertable inside a cavity and has an open position in which filling material may be inserted into the orifice. The housing also has a closed position in which the filling material is trapped within the orifice. The housing is cage-like for holding the filling material. The housing may include a handle, hinges for joining the first and second parts, and a latching mechanism for latching the first and second parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Levie
  • Publication number: 20110281003
    Abstract: A method and system for deriving animal feed from waste food is provided. The method and system involves dehydrating the waste food. The dehydrated waste food is grinded and mixed with one or more nutrients based on requirements of an animal. Thereafter, a mixture of the waste food and the one or more nutrients is extruded to obtain a plurality of grain pellets with a predetermined consistency. The plurality of grain pellets obtained after extrusion are cut to obtain a required shape and size for a grain pellet. Thereafter, the plurality of grain pellets are conditioned by adding one or more of fat, minerals and vitamins to the plurality of grain pellets. The plurality of pellets thus obtained are packaged and supplied as animal feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: KING ABDUL AZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: IBRAHIM M. ALRUQAIE
  • Patent number: 7975642
    Abstract: An automatic seasoning device that includes a hopper, a seasoning dispenser positioned to receive seasoning from the hopper; and a moveable transition tray positioned to receive seasoning from the seasoning dispensing drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventors: Brian R. Rudesill, Mark Edward Allegra
  • Patent number: 7955643
    Abstract: Continuously coating cores by a dragee-making apparatus including at least one rotatably driven drum in which the product is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes. The charge of the product to be processed divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner and treated in individual treatment chambers separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum. The products to be treated constantly rotate in the revolving drum without being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal conveyor located in the drum conveying the product from one treatment station to the next as required. A passage is formed from one chamber to the adjacent, other chamber if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Driam Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Dunajtschik, Oliver Nohynek
  • Publication number: 20110097459
    Abstract: A reduced-size apparatus for applying food coating that includes a belt assembly for conveying food products, having an input end and an output end, and a recycle assembly, capable of receiving excess coating from the output end of the belt assembly and conveying it to the input end, wherein the recycle assembly includes at least one of a base coating distribution passage and a top coating distribution passage for providing coating for application to a food product situated on the belt assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: VIBRATORY SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: James Bakos, James Karpinsky, Allen Bongert, Travis Renkly
  • Publication number: 20110059209
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing and cooking pizza using fresh ingredients, the apparatus being in the form of a vending type of machine. By way of a keypad, touchpad, display or other user interface provided on the machine, a user specifies the type of pizza that they want. The machine then proceeds to combine the ingredients needed to create the requested pizza, cooks the pizza, as appropriate, places it in a box, and dispenses the boxed pizza to the user or customer. The dough may be provided in the form of sealed canisters or tubes, which are opened in an automated fashion. Slices of dough may be cut from the dough canisters for each pizza which is to be made. Sauce may be provided in the form of sealed tubes, bags, or containers, whereby a controlled amount of the sauce may be dispensed by way of a controlled dispensing system, such as a pump or similar mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: K & G Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Puzant Khatchadourian
  • Patent number: 7878142
    Abstract: A device (10) to coat food products such as potato crisps or chips and biscuits. The device (10) includes a flavor dispenser 21 that delivers granular flavor material to the products (12) being coated. The device (10) further includes a conveyor (11) with conveyor surfaces (15 to 18) that are arranged in cascade so that the food products tumble from one surface to the next so that the granular flavor material is applied to the various surfaces of the food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Alfred A. Taylor, Garry R. Mackay
  • Publication number: 20110011280
    Abstract: A stuffing hand tool for inserting food material into pitted or cored produce items such as olives, figs, strawberries, cherries, which includes a body easily gripped with one hand by a user allowing a tube projecting from one end to be pressed into a mass of food material creating a plug of food material retained in the tube which is stuffed into an item when a plunger is advanced by depressing a pusher cylinder extended out from the opposite end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher L. Hawker, Phillip Campbell
  • Publication number: 20110005406
    Abstract: An apparatus for stuffing a pasty food that includes an applicator sleeve arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end of a stuffing tube. At least a portion of the applicator sleeve surrounds the stuffing tube about part or its complete circumference and the applicator sleeve supplies one or more strips coated and/or impregnated with transferable additives to the stuffing tube, with the strips being ultimately applied to the pasty food. The innovation further relates to a foodstuff in a tubular casing (e.g. sausage skin), in which at least one strip is arranged between the foodstuff and the surrounding casing, the strip being coated and/or impregnated with at least one transferable additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk AUF DER HEIDE, Martina Koenig
  • Patent number: 7841294
    Abstract: A food glazing system for automatically applying a glaze to an edible object. An inclined heatable surface is disposed in the path of sugar dispensed from a sugar dispenser and is positioned to heat the sugar enroute to an edible object to be glazed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dearborn Sausage Company
    Inventors: Clifford Todd Meier, Michael C. Kosch
  • Patent number: 7827929
    Abstract: A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Garrison, Ross D. Samuels, Glynn R. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20100218717
    Abstract: A method for treating a product suitable for human consumption, for example, a meat product, such as slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, in which a large number of products are successively supplied, optionally in groups, to an inspection station in which each product is subjected to a visual inspection to detect a defect on the respective product. If a decision is made to provide a specific additive-addition treatment to a product, the product is supplied to an additive-addition station, where the product is subjected to an additive-addition treatment and an additive is added to at least one part of the outside of each product or the inside of each product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Andries Johan Martijn Kuijpers, Maurice Eduardus Theodorus van Esbroeck, Andrianus Josephes van den Nieuwelaar
  • Publication number: 20100212516
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a flat dough product, in particular a pizza, topped with assorted toppings, is provided with a plurality of topping dispensers and at least one movable positioning mechanism, which is provided vertically below a plane spanned by the topping dispensers and to which a dough carrier is associated which may be supported such that it can rotate; the positioning mechanism actuated by an actuating mechanism to position the dough carrier underneath a topping dispenser to allow topping to be dispensed. The topping dispensers are arranged in a matrix configuration, distributed in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y and the positioning mechanism is configured for positioning the dough carrier in the two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y corresponding to the matrix configuration. The topping dispensers are actuated passively to dispense topping by rotating the dough carrier and/or by means of the lifting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Till Westberg
  • Patent number: 7779752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pitting and stuffing food items include a processing tool that may pit any type of fruit of vegetable product. The same processing tool then stuffs the fruit or vegetable with another food item. The processing tool may include two sets of opposed knife assemblies that work in combination to remove a core of the first food item by cutting into the food item from one side to push the core toward the other knife. The second knife assembly defines and cuts the interior space of the first food item. The core may be retracted by the second knife assembly or completely pushed out by the first knife assembly. The second food item is loaded into the second knife assembly and then pushed into the space created in the first food item by a piston within the second knife assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas E. Ellison
  • Publication number: 20100173050
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7739979
    Abstract: A tumble breading system for applying a breading material to a food includes a housing designating an internal clean area, and an infeed belt for conveying the breading material and the food, arranged across the infeed belt in an infeed order, into the clean area. A rotary assembly with a plurality of vertically offset, rotating tumblers accepts and tumbles the food with the breading material as the tumblers rotate, to bread the food. An output belt accepts the breaded food from the tumblers and conveys the breaded foods from the clean area and the housing. The food arrives at the output belt in substantially the infeed order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Dean Brady, Sr., Quentin Duane Pendergrass
  • Patent number: 7730831
    Abstract: A pin-less socket apparatus and manufacturing system for assembling a frozen confection using such socket apparatus including a socket for accepting a conical food product therein, the socket having a hook with one or more teeth located at an outer periphery of the socket, a hinge located on an outside of the socket, the hook movably attached to the socket via the hinge, a force mechanism for holding the hook in place against the socket. The force mechanism takes the form of either an annular spring or O-ring located around the socket and hook or a linear spring attached to the hook in a lever-type manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Mange, Matthias Ruppert
  • Patent number: 7703411
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excited apparatus for coating food product with a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Vibratory Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James Bakos, James Karpinsky, Scott Rose, Travis Renkly