By Stuffing Or Applying Particulate Material Patents (Class 99/494)
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Patent number: 5664489Abstract: A food breading apparatus for breading food components with a breading mixture includes a breading drum rotatable about its longitudinal axis wherein the longitudinal axis is inclined from horizontal. The drum includes an inlet opening located in an upper end, an outlet opening located in a lower end, and a plurality of openings located proximal to the lower end of a sidewall. The openings are sized to allow surplus breading mixture and lumps of breading mixture to pass therethrough but retain the breaded food product in the rotating breading drum. An inlet conveyor provides food components to be breaded to the inlet opening of the breading drum. A recirculating breading mixture conveyor provides the breading mixture to the inlet opening. A takeout conveyor moves the breaded food components from the outlet opening of the breading drum. A lump removal conveyor is positioned below the plurality of openings in the sidewall of the breading drum.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Dallas A.C. Horn & Co.Inventor: Harold Herrick, IV
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Patent number: 5647905Abstract: An apparatus for applying substances for coating articles of ice confectionery has a conveyor having an endless belt for transporting articles, and a refrigeration table is positioned below an upper run of the belt for cooling the upper run. A unit is provided for coating articles of ice confectionery with a fatty material and transporting the fatty-coated articles to the belt upper run. A unit for delivering particulate material is positioned above the endless belt upper run for delivering the material towards a position on the upper run above the refrigeration table for covering upper and side surfaces of articles transported on the upper run for forming a bed of particulate material about the articles for obtaining articles which are coated with particulate material and positioned within the bed. A further unit is positioned for separating particulate material of the bed from the coated articles and for recycling the separated particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Francis-Victor Bertrand, Christian Mange
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Patent number: 5643361Abstract: A plate which is adjustable is positioned in an apparatus for coating a foodstuff with particulate material to control an amount of particulate material falling from a first belt of a conveyor to an inclined portion of a second belt of the conveyor beneath the first belt. To control the amount of material, the plate is positioned below a horizontal run of the first belt and above the inclined portion of the second belt. The material deposited on the inclined portion of the second belt is conveyed to a horizontal upper run of the second belt and provides a layer of material for coating a foodstuff transported from the horizontal upper run of the first belt to the horizontal upper run of the second belt.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1992Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Lars Gustaf Albert Wadell
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Patent number: 5640897Abstract: This machine is a compound cutting and shearing device which is capable of removing slices of sausage meat from a bulk sausage stored in the machine and delivering the sliced sausage to a precise location on a food product located adjacent the machine. Simultaneously, the machine has a shearing device which shears a finger of cheese from a bulk slab of cheese stored in the machine and delivers the sheared finger of cheese to a precise location on the previously delivered sliced sausage meat.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1996Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventor: Amos Fehr
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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: 5553533Abstract: There is provided a flour duster having a bin for containing flour, the bin having a bottom, a conveyor belt having a top surface and an underside, the bottom of the bin being formed by the top surface of the conveyor belt, structure is provided for supporting the bin and the conveyor belt, a drive member coupled to the conveyor belt for rotating the conveyor belt to drag flour from the bin toward the underside of the conveyor belt and disperse the flour.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Interko, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Loechtenfeldt, Bernardus W. Muller
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Patent number: 5523101Abstract: Uniform distribution of materials over a predetermined area of a receiver is assured by a multipurpose applicator wherein a gauging or metering device contacts materials on a conveyor to ensure that the materials are uniformly spread along the conveyor so that incremental movement of the conveyor results in a predetermined portion of the materials entering a distributor wherein it is agitated to form a cloud that will fall evenly over the predetermined area defined by a mask on the receiver. An electronic weighing device between the conveyor and the distributor may be used to achieved exact weight of portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1993Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Inventor: Clifford E. Fitch, Jr.
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Patent number: 5520100Abstract: A garniture applying apparatus includes a container having a wall, which circumscribes a container interior, and a base, which has a plurality of cavities for feeding garniture from the container interior through the base. A housing is affixed to the container adjacent the base, and positioned within the housing is at least one slidably reciprocable plate having a plurality of apertures positioned so that, upon reciprocation of the plate, the apertures reciprocate into and out of alignment with the base cavities to open and close the base cavities for feeding garniture from the cavities through the plate. A plurality of flexible tubes are attached to the housing for receiving garniture from the plate, each tube being in alignment with a respective one of the base cavities and extending away from the housing to a fixed end positioned for depositing garniture.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1993Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Lars G. A. Wadell
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Patent number: 5517904Abstract: A food product depositor for depositing a food product on a receptacle carried on a continuously moving conveyor. A first depositing mechanism includes an extrusion head which moves in tandem with the receptacle while extruding food product. A microprocessor is coupled to tandem scales to control operation of the depositor and to determine whether the weight of extruded food product is within a preselected target weight range. The microprocessor permits feedback control of the first depositor to adjust its performance based on factors including temperature, pressure and voids within the food product. The microprocessor actuates a second depositing mechanism if necessary to deposit a second amount of food product on the receptacle to reach the preselected target weight range.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: Gregory C. Vargas, Jimmy A. DeMars, Robert F. Meyer
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Patent number: 5514399Abstract: 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: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Cordera, Henry M. Andreski
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Patent number: 5463938Abstract: An apparatus for coating food frying pieces with grains powder includes a buttering conveyor of the string type carrying the food pieces through a steamer and under a batter nozzle that coats them before they drop off the end of the buttering conveyor onto a covering conveyor. The covering conveyor includes rotating urgers. A sieving conveyor, also of the string type, receives the pieces and conveys them to a next-stage output conveyor. A grains powder supply conveyor coupled to the stem portion of the covering conveyor and a grains powder recovery coveyor extend between the covering conveyor and the sieving conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1993Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Nippon Suisan Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Chuji Sarukawa, Sadaaki Ito, Hiromi Ito
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Patent number: 5458055Abstract: A high speed, automatic apparatus for accurately and consistently portioning solid or liquid food material, such as sausages or sauces, onto receivers, or substrates, such as pizza crusts, is disclosed. A conveyor moves the substrates, in a first path while a hopper moves in a second, preferably circular path, that partially overlies the first path. The hopper further includes a plurality of hoppers in a carousel where the hoppers hold the material to be portioned. A blade underneath the hopper removes portions of the food material as the hopper moves in its circular path. Controls are provided to synchronize the movement of the hopper relative to the conveyor where the conveyor and hopper are continuously moving together. As the portions of the food material are cut by the blade, the portions are propelled and directed onto the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1993Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Inventor: Clifford E. Fitch, Jr.
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Patent number: 5440976Abstract: A sugar stick is provided to stir coffee until a desired sweetness is attained. The dispensing device for solid granular material is user adjusted from zero to a maximum by simply adjusting a movable cover, such as a sleeve or shutter to the indicated extent for the desired amount. The stirrer includes at least one dose separator disks attached to a central portion ending in an enlarged end section to be used as a handle, which fits into a perforated tube. The product granules, e.g. an artificial or natural sweetener, which are larger in size than the perforations, are housed in the spaces between the at least one separator disk. A transparent movable outer cover, such as a sleeve, encloses the perforations and seals them from contact with the liquid beverage. By pulling the movable outer cover up, the perforations corresponding to the desired level of sweetness dose can be easily exposed.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Fred GiulianoInventors: Fred Giuliano, John V. Mizzi
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Patent number: 5441756Abstract: Spherical and quasi-spherical objects are fed from a vibratory feeder through at least one outfeed chute to an oscillable plate positioned beneath the chutes. The oscillable plate has pocket passages positioned therethrough so that upon oscillation of the plate in a first direction, a pocket passage aligns with each chute opening to receive an object.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1993Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Lars G. A. Wadell
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Patent number: 5394911Abstract: An automatic dispenser for doughy food products, particularly for shop windows displaying ice cream products to be dispensed. The dispenser includes a taking unit which is movable with respect to ice cream containers present in the shop window. The taking unit dispenses a desired portion of ice cream and organizes the sorting, taking and dispensing of the desired portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1992Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Fadis S.R.L.Inventor: Corrado Zizola
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Patent number: 5386939Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly distributing metered seasoning and/or granular/powdered material from an elongated opening in a seasoning snout includes a rotatable cylindrical spinner bar supported below the seasoning snout and driven at a surface speed greater than the falling speed of the seasoning from the metering openings so that seasoning falling from the metering openings hits the cylindrical bar and is sheared and directed generally tangentially to create a uniform curtain of seasoning materials while preventing the build up of seasoning material on the cylindrical spinner bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 7, 1995Assignee: Recot, Inc.Inventor: Richard J. Ruegg
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Patent number: 5385086Abstract: According to the invention an apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food material for application to a solid food product is provided. A dry ingredient distributor is provided which includes an auger surrounded by a distribution tube having a plurality of openings. Mounted to the distribution tube and vertically spaced therefrom at a preselected distance, is an electrostatic field generation means for generation of a substantially uniform electrostatic field horizontally along substantially the entire length of the distribution tube to generate an electrostatic field in the path of the food material exiting the outlets of the distribution tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1994Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Par-Way GroupInventors: Robert E. Burns, Darren L. Duggan
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Patent number: 5359925Abstract: An apparatus for producing an edible sandwich having a cavity with uniform thickness of bread surrounding the cavity. Edible filler material is injected into the cavity that has a self-sealing entrance. The apparatus forms the sandwich by first making a keyhole shape slit in the bread casing. Then an expandable mandrel is inserted into the slit and expanded by filling it with air. As the mandrel expands, it compresses the bread in the casing to form a cavity having walls of substantially uniform thickness throughout. An edible filling is then inserted into this cavity via the slit previously formed.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1993Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Inventor: Joel C. Forker
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Patent number: 5343800Abstract: A seasoning can structure includes an open can body to receive therein the seasoning, a cover being releasably secured to the opening of the can body. A seasoning dispensing device is mounted on the cover to dispense the seasoning contained in the can. A seasoning block breaking device is provided, including an elongated rod extending from the bottom of the can into the can body with a number of sideward arms fixed thereon so that by reciprocally moving the rod relative to the can body, the arms hit and thus break the seasoning blocks formed by the seasoning particles bonding together. Biasing device is disposed on the bottom of the can body to help reciprocally moving the breaking device relative to the can body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1993Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Inventor: Otto Wu
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Patent number: 5318629Abstract: An apparatus is provided for spreading a material on an object. The apparatus includes a continuously moving conveyor for moving the object in a downstream direction, and a dispenser for applying the material to the object. The apparatus also includes a carriage located above the conveyor, and a spreader coupled to the carriage for engaging the material applied to the object by the dispenser to spread the material on the object. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the carriage in the downstream direction over the continuously moving object as the spreader engages the material, and another mechanism for providing movement of the spreader relative to the carriage from an first position in which the spreader engages the material to a second position in which the spreader disengages the material.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Raque Food Systems, Inc.Inventors: Glen F. Raque, Edward A. Robinson, Larry A. Allen, Vola B. Edwards
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Patent number: 5287801Abstract: Foodstuffs flavoring apparatus comprises an inlet, a screw conveyor arranged to convey flavoring from the inlet to a rotor disposed in a cylindrical chamber parallel to the axis of the screw conveyor, the rotor including one or more blades extending towards the wall of the chamber. The chamber also includes one or more apertures through which powdered flavoring carried to the chamber from the inlet by rotation of the screw conveyor is ejected in use of the apparatus. An electrostatic charging head located adjacent the outlet ensures adhesion of the flavoring to the foodstuff.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Inventor: Gordon A. Clark
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Patent number: 5284514Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and process for making foods coated in bread crumbs.The apparatus has a crumbing apparatus for converting loaves, of bread into breadcrumbs; a coating location whereto fresh crumbs are delivered from the crumbing apparatus; and a conveyor for transporting substrate food to the coating location for coating with the crumbs and for transporting coated food away from the coating location.The process involves the steps of obtaining baked and staled bread; inserting the bread into an apparatus which converts the bread into crumbs and substantially immediately coats the crumbs onto a substrate food. For conversion into crumbs, bread is supported on rods over a rotating drum having teeth which project between the rods to engage the bread. Thus bread too moist for grinding can be crumbed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1992Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Eurotaste LimitedInventor: Sybil M. Griffiths
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Patent number: 5265525Abstract: The invention is an automatic breader/sifter unit used to facilitate the application of a breading material to a food product. The unit includes a rotatable, horizontally-oriented drum that has an octagonal shape. The sidewalls of the drum include a large number of apertures so that when breading material is within the drum, the material contacts the drum and is sifted as the drum rotates. The drum is motor-driven and is at least partially surrounded by an exterior housing. The housing prevents the sifted breading material from escaping from the unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1993Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Inventor: Frank Stewart
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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: 5226354Abstract: The invention is an automatic breader/sifter unit used to facilitate the application of a breading material to a food product. The unit includes a rotatable, horizontally-oriented drum that has an octagonal shape. The sidewalls of the drum include a large number of apertures so that when breading material is within the drum, the material contacts the drum and is sifted as the drum rotates. The drum is motor driven and is partially surrounded by an exterior housing. The housing prevents the sifted breading material from escaping from the unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Inventor: Frank Stewart
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Patent number: 5211107Abstract: A buns making device includes a tube having an upper end for receiving stuff to be stuffed in the buns, a barrel disposed on an outer and lower portion of the tube, an opening formed in the barrel for receiving a strip of dough. The dough is formed into a column of dough and moved downward beyond the barrel, the stuff leaving the tube is contained within the column of dough. The column of dough is then cut and formed into the buns.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1992Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Inventor: Shih C. Tsay
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Patent number: 5209156Abstract: A method for producing extruded and cut frozen confections (70) containing a first material (20) with particulates such as peanuts, and a second material (16) without particulates. Includes an extruder apparatus (10) with a first conduit (14) disposed to accept the first material, and a second conduit (18) disposed to accept the second material. And comprises diverter cylinders (22) and (24) opening into the conduits to cyclicly extract or inject the materials from the conduits, to produce intermittent flows within the inlet conduits (14) and (18). Next the materials alternately fill a transverse section of a confluence (42) to form a transversely layered extrusion (35). A conventional cutter is timed to transversely sever the transversely layered extrusion when a transverse layer of particulates free material is exiting.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1991Date of Patent: May 11, 1993Inventor: Marco H. Lombard
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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: 5195454Abstract: Particulate material for coating foodstuffs falling from a belt of a conveyor within a rotatable drum is distributed substantially evenly over the interior wall of the drum by a guiding device which includes at least one movable plate which is positioned below the belt and which has a longitudinal axis parallel to the end of the belt. The particulate material distributed from the belt to the drum is conveyed by the drum to a conveyor which delivers particulate coating material to a foodstuff to be coated.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1990Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Lars G. A. Wadell
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Patent number: 5186098Abstract: A table-top apparatus for conveying small loaves of bread beneath a liquid applicator and a dry particle dispenser. As bread is conveyed along an upper conveyor, butter, margarine, or the like is applied by a liquid applicator. The bread then drops to a lower conveyor and is topped with grated cheese and/or seasonings from a dry particle hopper. The conveyors and the liquid applicator are run continuously. An agitator within the dry particle hopper is only run when bread moving along the lower conveyor trips a limit switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1991Date of Patent: February 16, 1993Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Danny T. Miller
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Patent number: 5184543Abstract: Disclosed is a seasoning device having a chamber designed to be filled with, for example, liquid and granular seasonings mixed together and having a plurality of hollow needles forming outlets from the chamber. The device includes a pumping mechanism which is motorized and battery operated and designed to pressurize the chamber to cause movement of a piston follower to cause expulsion of the seasoning through the needles as the needles are pulled from embedded positions within a piece of meat or fish. The depth of penetration of the needles may be selectively adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Inventor: Richard F. Victory
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Patent number: 5176070Abstract: In a machine for stuffing olives automatically with meat paste, olives are transferred from a serial infeed station to a runout station, at which the stuffed end product emerges, by way of a transfer station that comprises an indexing conveyor with peripheral contoured pockets interconnected by a profiled channel; the channel freely accommodates a fixed knife by which the top part of each olive is cut at a station between the infeed and runout stations, and a divaricator serving to spread the sides of the cut olive and thus create an opening into which the meat paste can be forced by an injector supplied from a relative feeder station. Advantageously, the infeed and runout stations, the conveyor and the feeder station are mechanically interconnected and driven synchronously by a single power transmission system.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Inventor: Pennesi Marco
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Patent number: 5165331Abstract: An automatic vending machine for noodles, comprising: noodle-making means for forming grain flour into powered fish-like noodle materials, rolling said materials into a noodle web, and cutting said noodle web into noodle lines to make noodles; powder sprinkling means for sprinkling powder on the noodle lines prepared by said noodle-making means; packing means for packing the noodle lines having the powder sprinkled by said powder sprinkling means into a bag; and discharge means for discharging a bag body in which a noodle ball of the noodle lines is packed by said packing means to an outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsuo Hayashi, Kazuhiko Takano
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Patent number: 5163361Abstract: A recirculating fumigation system for facilities that store agricultural products employs a blower which is chemically inert to the gaseous fumigant, driven by a variable speed pneumatic motor which provides the system with adjustable capacity over a range of recirculation blower speeds and the capability of high speed operation for degasation. In ship holds the system may be mounted in the manway of the hatch of the cargo hold. The system is entirely nonelectrical and isolated from the gaseous fumigant as the pneumatic motor is driven by a separate air supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1992Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: Midland Fumigant Company, Inc.Inventors: Seth F. Fox, Charles L. Estes, Donald F. Fox
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Patent number: 5160377Abstract: A relatively uniform distribution of discrete, separate particles of edible powder such as starch or flour that adhere to the surface layer of the tortilla is used to prevent sticking of tortillas, one to another, when stacked in a package. A resilient foam sponge roller is used to first reservoir, and then compressively apply the particles to the surface of the tortilla.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Gruma S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Ezequiel d. Montemayor, Marina T. Ollervides, Rita M. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 5129315Abstract: An apparatus for forming an array of extruded filaments combines an extrusion head having an opening, a movable body having an array of a plurality of apertures aligned with the opening for forming an array of filaments of material extruded through the opening and the apertures, and a support positioned for receiving the extruded array of filaments. The apertured body is moved continuously beneath the extrusion head opening so that a plurality of apertures are positioned simultaneously underneath the opening and in contact with the extruded material and an array of filaments is continuously formed. Relative motion of the support with respect to arrays of filaments forms a lattice structure of superimposed arrays.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1990Date of Patent: July 14, 1992Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Malcolm C. Burwell, Pauline E. Murphy, David I. Neill, Peter J. Sayer
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Patent number: 5125534Abstract: A beverage flavoring and dispensing apparatus 10 for use in a fluid having a capped upper body chamber 12 which interfaces with a dissolvable lower housing 18, the upper body chamber having fused thereto a central spine member 14 with a plurality of horizontally extending vanes 16. The spine member and the vanes extend from the top of the chamber 12 to the bottom of the lower housing 18 forming a plurality of compartments 20 between adjacent vanes 16 and the chamber 12 and housing 18 for carrying a plurality of selected flavoring ingredients 22 therein. The lower housing 18 is comprised of a dissolvable film such as methyl cellulose or gelatin which dissolves upon immersion in a fluid simultaneously dispensing each of the flavoring ingredients in the fluid. The spine member 14 and the associated vanes 16 are then utilized as a stirring stick for mixing the ingredients of the beverage.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1991Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Inventors: Barry L. Rose, Mario J. Machado, Alan R. Stein
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Patent number: 5118519Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for processing batter materials, such as food batter, including sausage batter for wieners and the like, without incorporating the use of any casing for the batter. An elongated ribbon or flow of proteinaceous batter material is extruded or otherwise formed and treated to have a proteinaceous skin made by congealing surface batter materials with a treating arrangement. This flow is then severed into a plurality of blanks, followed by forming unfinished ends of the blanks into shaped links. The shaped links are then cooked and typically packaged as desired to provide a finished sausage product.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1991Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Timothy G. Mally, Gary A. Handel, Nilang Patel, Dean F. Schwarz
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Patent number: 5117749Abstract: A pizza making machine is disclosed which automates the heretofore manual task of preparing pizzas. The machine includes a sauce and cheese dispenser for topping a pizza therefrom. A pizza supporting platen is included which accommodates three sizes and two shapes of pizza pans, and is powered for movement to below the sauce and cheese dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1990Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Rykaart, Inc.Inventor: Evert Bakker
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Patent number: 5111973Abstract: A food container includes a tubular container with a piston therein. The piston has a first guiding platform secured to a stick and a second sealing platform secured to the stick. The first platform has a tapered edge with a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the tubular container. Below the first platform is a second platform having a diameter slightly larger than the tubular container.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Inventor: Martin Mueller
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Patent number: 5109760Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for evenly distributing food particles over a base food, and in particular is directed to apparatus for evenly distributing a predetermined quantity of cheese particles upon a pizza. The apparatus includes a conical screen supported above the pizza upon which cheese is to be distributed and comminuted cheese particles located within a hopper above the screen are dropped in a mass upon the screen and distributed by gravitational force in an even pattern over the pizza.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1990Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: Domino's Pizza, Inc.Inventor: Khalid S. Ansari
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Patent number: 5090593Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a wide variety of seasoning material utilizes a hopper for the seasoning material and a tube having one end in fluid communication with the hopper. The tube extends outwardly from the hopper and terminates at a distal end thereof, the tube having a feed section adjacent the hopper and a seasoning delivery section between the feed section and the distal end of the tube. The dispenser includes a motor-driven auger extending from the hopper through the feed section and the delivery section of the tube. Seasoning distribution aperture(s) start at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section on a side of the tube at least 10.degree. from the bottom of the tube so that seasoning exits the side of the tube at the beginning of the seasoning delivery section.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1990Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Assignee: Recot, Inc.Inventor: Ofomata E. Ejike
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Patent number: 5085138Abstract: A novel food production apparatus is provided herein. It includes a supporting frame structure, and a conveyor system supported thereon, the conveyor system passing a plurality of work stations. Intermittent moving mechanisms are provided for intermittently moving the conveyor system from one work station to the next work station downstream therefrom. A dough sheet feeding mechanism is provided for intermittently loading a square sheet of dough at a diamond orientation onto the conveyor system while the conveyor system is stationary. At least one foodstuff loading mechanism is provided at one work station downstream from the dough sheet feeding mechanism to load foodstuff onto the sheet of dough while the conveyor system is stationary. A folding mechanism is provided at another work station downstream therefrom, to provide a substantially-hexagonally-shaped, loaded, overlapped-folded, sheet of dough, while the conveyor system is stationary.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1991Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Inventors: Amos Fehr, Joseph Chong
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Patent number: 5081917Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1989Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: Shin Nihon Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Fumihiko Masuda
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Patent number: 5081918Abstract: A food material supply apparatus including at least one diametrically slotted roller located on the bottom of a hopper, a plate slidably inserted in each slot, a groove semicircular in cross section in the bottom of the hopper and extending parallel to roller, a hollow cylinder rotatably and complementarily fitted in the groove and formed with an axial opening having a length substantially equal to that of the rollers, a piston reciprocating in the cylinder, a food material extruding device connected to the delivery end of the cylinder, and a turntable located under the food material extruding device and having pockets for receiving the food material extruded from the extruding device. This apparatus enables a predetermined amount of vegatables and meat to be filled into a covering without any excessive agitation.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1991Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Tashiro, Daiji Tomiyama
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Patent number: 5060562Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for manufacturing bakery products wherein a main drive motors powers feeding means for advancing rows of individual dough packets step-wise along an assembly line to a Ferris-wheel type conveyor including rows of cups into which individual dough packets are deposited row by row. The Ferris-wheel type conveyor is driven by the main drive motor to advance the rows of cup means step-wise row by row. The novel machine includes an inclined table with a surface over which the individual dough packets slide as the dough packets are advanced by the feeding means to the Ferris-wheel type conveyor. The table terminates at a lower end thereof near the Ferris-wheel type conveyor. A gate comprising a roller member with receptacles is positioned to receive the individual dough packets as the packets fall off the table member and into aligned receptacles. The roller has three rows of receptacles, with each row spaced apart from adjacent rows by 120.degree.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Inventor: Augusto Florindez
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Patent number: 5056425Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing batter materials, such as food batter, including sausage batter for wieners and the like, without incorporating the use of any casing for the batter. The apparatus forms a blank having a proteinaceous skin made by congealing surface batter materials with a treatment fluid. Each thus formed blank is ejected onto a conveyor that includes a device for completing the formation of congealed skin on the blank. The thus shaped items can then be packaged and cooked within the package in order to provide an aseptic product. If desired, the items can be cooked and then packaged in order to provide a product having an acceptable shelf-life.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventor: Timothy G. Mally
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Patent number: 5052330Abstract: The invention describes a coating machine which includes an endless pervious conveyor belt supported in an elongated frame which provides a food product conveyance path within the machine. A hopper is disposed above the food product conveyance path in which an amount of a coating material is provided to generate a falling curtain of bread crumbs or the like to cover the top and sides of food product pieces passing along the food product conveyance path. The machine also preferably includes a circular drum type conveyor which is rotatably supported along the elongated frame adjacent the hopper and includes a plurality of pockets formed therein which open into the interior of the machine and the hopper. Conveyors are provided in both the elongated frame and hopper to distribute coating material from the frame enclosure to the circular conveyor which will in turn distribute coating material to the hopper to generate the upper layer of breading material.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1991Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: Stein, Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Stacy
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Patent number: RE35426Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing batter materials, such as food batter, including sausage batter for wieners and the like, without incorporating the use of any casing for the batter. The apparatus forms a blank having a proteinaceous skin made by congealing surface batter materials with a treatment fluid. Each thus formed blank is ejected onto a conveyor that includes a device for completing the formation of congealed skin on the blank The thus shaped items can then be packaged and cooked within the package in order to provide an aseptic product. If desired, the items can be cooked and then packaged in order to provide a product having an acceptable shelf-life.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1993Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventor: Timothy G. Mally