Abstract: A vending machine stores a plurality of cups that are filled with primary food products and sealed with covers, and on command, dispenses one cup from the plurality of cups, removes the cover from the one cup, and adds secondary food products to the primary food product in the one cup. The primary food product can be heated. The operation of the vending operation is automatically controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for hand breading of food products having a support table, a fry basket rack, a removable flour pan and a removable batter pan. A pivotally mounted sifter basket is translatable over the length of the support table in substantial alignment with the basket rack, flour pan and batter pan. A removable doughball collection trough is disposed transversely of the support table between the flour pan and basket rack.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides for deposition quasi-spherical objects onto food products includes a horizontal table for feeding the food products beneath a dispensing device which includes a trough, for receiving and containing a supply of the objects to be dispensed, having at least one discharge opening, each discharge opening being connected to a chute which leads downwards towards the table for providing an object from the trough to a flexible strip above the table having an aperture having a border for supporting the object upon the strip aperture. Positioned over the strip aperture is a pusher for forcing the articles through the aperture to be embedded onto the surface of the food product positioned on the table below.

Abstract: A particulate solid is dispensed on to articles by depositing the particulate solid on a vibrating dispensing member having a slot cut therethrough, this slot making an acute angle within the direction in which the particulate solid moves along the dispensing member, and moving the articles beneath the slot as the particulate solid is falling therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting soft baked goods or cakes with different fluids includes a manifold defining a pair of spaced supply channels or chambers, a supply valve defining a port and a slide gate valve. The slide gate valve communicates with a passage and suck back chamber. A suck back piston is positioned within the suck back chamber. Secured to the underside of the manifold is a needle plate. A plurality of dual passage injection needles are secured to the plate. The plate defines a plurality of channels which communicate with the injection needles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pitting olives and then slicing the pitted olives. In a preferred embodiment, each olive is carried in a cup positioned between a coring knife and a pitting knife in a manner so that the longitudinal axes of the cup and the knives coincide. As the cup and knives rotate around a drive shaft along parallel circular paths, a system of cams extends and retracts the knives relative to the cup, in order to pit the olive. After the pitting operation, the cup (containing a pitted olive) continues to rotate along its circular path past a set of slicing knives or water jet cutters. The slicing elements are oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the cup's circular path, so that the slicing elements will sever the olive cleanly into slices as the cup translates past them. In the inventive method and apparatus, both the pitting and slicing operations are performed on each olive while the olive is held in a known orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a work object utilizing high pressure fluid. The apparatus includes an orientation conveyor which is operable to transport and selectively position the work object in a work station; a water manifold is mounted at the work station and is operable to move along a predetermined path of travel and to deliver a stream of high pressure fluid in the work station to cut the work object; and a control system is borne by the apparatus, and is adapted to coordinate the operation of the water manifold and the orientation conveyor such that the orientation conveyor positions the work object in the work station for a predetermined period of time and the water manifold is energized and directed along the path of travel to cut the work object in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A device for pitting and pitting-and-stuffing olives includes two axially aligned punches for simultaneously cutting through an olive and of the end faces of which is fittingly supported in a seat formed in a cap positioned between the punches. One of the punches is hollow to provide access for a stuffing paste to be inserted into a pitted olive. Each punch has the same number of cutting fins of the same configuration. The cap has radial grooves coinciding in position with the cutting fins of each punch.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improvement to an apparatus, and a method for applying a thin layer of liquid at the circumference of a stream of meat product before it enters a casing. Preferably, the liquid being applied is liquid smoke thereby avoiding the necessity of further smoking treatment of the sausage to achieve the desired taste and appearance of a smoked sausage.

Abstract: Fins have edges which extend forward from a body which is reciprocated back and forth by a driving rod. The fins also have cutting blades. Olives are depitted by causing the forward edges to penetrate the olives and engage the pits. The cutting blades then slice the depitted olive into separate disconnected slices.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a primary steaming unit for exposing rice being conveyed on a first conveyor to steam, a water tank for immersing rice discharged from the first conveyor in hot water, a second conveyor for conveying rice discharged from the water tank, and a secondary steaming unit for exposing rice being conveyed on the second conveyor to steam.Above an inlet end of the second conveyor, a space is formed, which is free from intrusion of steam from the secondary steaming unit. A seasoning liquid feeder is disposed in the space for supplying a season liquid such as salt, shoyu, sake, vinegar to rice. An ingredient feeder for supplying vegetables, meat, fish and so on to rice is disposed in or near the space.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing textured meat and fish products includes comminuting muscle flesh to subcellular particle sizes, mixing the comminuted muscle flesh with a texturing agent and texture regulator, freezing the mixture, heating the mixture to pasteurize or sterilize it, crimping the mixture to form a crinkled sheet of dough, folding the crinkled sheet of dough into laminated layers and freezing the folded laminated layers along a predetermined direction to form a desired fibrous structure. The texturing agent is a polyanionic complexing agent, preferably a pectin having a particular degree of esterification, and the texture regulator is one or a mixture of protein-rich products, starch-rich products, fats, and salts of polyvalent cations.

Abstract: A method for depitting an olive wherein at least one elongated member moves horizontally through an olive having a horizontal longitudinal axis and supported at one end in a recess of a cup to force the pit through a central opening in the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling cored frozen fruit and vegetable foods with filling materials. The cored foods are transported by a conveyor device to a filling device for filling. The conveyor includes conveying means having apertures therethrough which are defined by circumferential aperture walls for supporting a lower circumferential surface of the foods and from which spikes protrude which terminate in sharp points for penetrating the surface of the foods for holding the foods in a substantially fixed and steady position within the apertures. The conveyor may include a plurality of plates which contain a plurality of apertures and associated aperture walls and spikes for enabling the filling a plurality of the cored foods at the same time.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus to cook, season and serve helpings of ready-to-eat pasta such as for example helpings of spaghetti, ravioli and the like. The apparatus essentially includes a cooking vessel supplied with boiling water coming from a boiler movable between a higher and lower position respectively, a basket designed to contain one pasta helping to be cooked and disposed above the cooking vessel so that it can be introduced thereinto when the latter is at its higher position, a basket-charging device which takes up a pasta container, transports it and discharges the contents thereof inside basket, a conveyor designed to put a dish under the basket so that the basket may discharge the cooked pasta helping thereon, and a condiment-dispensing member which puts a predetermined condiment quantity on the cooked pasta helping laid down on the dish.

Abstract: A peanut applicator has a rotating cylindrical member with air passages therein. A vacuum pump draws air from an interior portion of the cylindrical member, air being drawn in through a plurality of air passages located between an inner surface of the cylindrical member and an outer surface having a groove therein.The groove has a generally semi-circular cross sectional shape.An extrudate rope passing beneath the cylindrical member in proximity to the groove will cause adhesion to articles which were retained by the vacuum of the air passageways in the groove.Upstanding walls are disposed in a fixed plate, the plate having an aperture therethrough communicating with the interior of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member being generally cup-shaped.

Abstract: Fumigation apparatus for placing solid fumigant in grain in ship holds, using a gas-permeable sleeve that is telescoped within an elongated tubular probe to be driven into the grain by a probe manipulator mechanism. The mechanism has three sets of drive rollers in a housing that is clamped around the lower end portion of the probe at the surface of the grain, the mechanism being releasably secured to a foldable base platform and driven by a power operator including a reversible electric motor and a reduction gear box. The sleeve is fabric, having a funnel-shaped open upper end and a closed lower end above a flap or tail for hanging out of the probe during installation. A flexible line is secured to the probe for repeated use in pulling sleeves into the probe for rapid placement of the sleeves after introduction of fumigant.

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing decorative ice cream rolls, an elongate frame supports a plurality of ingredient dispensing stations including ice cream dispensing stations arranged along the frame. An ice cream manifold is mounted on the frame for coupling a continuous flow source of pressuized ice cream through ice cream distribution lines to ice cream dispensing stations. A conveyor conveys a continuous ice cream roll body along the frame and along the respective ingredient dispensing stations. A support tray dispensing station delivers successive adjacent support trays onto the conveyor at the upstream end to support the continuous ice cream roll body extruded through a roll forming head. At least one ice cream dispensing ice cream wave forming station is provided along the frame with at least one ice cream dispensing tube or nozzle and motor for generating the wave form pattern through an eccentric slide coupling.

Abstract: A fruit pitting machine includes a feeder tray for feeding fruit singly to a fruit conveyor chain which travels around a rotatable support to convey the fruit along a feed path. The rotatable support carries a plurality of pitting plungers and coring knives which are axially aligned and movable by cams toward each other such that a plunger pierces one end of the fruit and a coring knife cuts out a core cap at the other end of the fruit. Thereafter, the pitting plunger pushes the core cap and pit into the coring knife and the pitting plunger and coring knife are retracted away from the feed path. The plunger is retracted with the pitted fruit thereon past a guide member which strips the pitted fruit from the plunger while the coring knife is retracted until a free end thereof is positioned between another guide member and a pitting chain which is rotated around the rotatable support.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing frozen confections includes a mixing head which accepts one or more flows of semi-frozen or viscous confection materials and combines them into a single flow, a slicing mechanism which transversely severs the flowing confections into individual products or bodies. Next, edible particulate matter is adhered to the upper surfaces of such products by an assembly having a vibratory portion dispenser and an air jet transfer and adhering assembly which is synchronized to the motion of a product conveyor. The confectionary bodies are then advanced into a refrigerated region where they chill and solidify. Finally, the chilled confectionary bodies are subjected to a chocolate spray or bath which is allowed to congeal and the products are then ready for packaging and are moved to a packaging area.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing either fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds, or flaky material, such as bran, through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of spaced rows and columns of a food product in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a reversible variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.

Abstract: A flowable filling is placed in a piece of bread to make a sandwich by first blocking the front end of a tube extending along a longitudinal axis and having a rear end axially behind the front tube end and then filling the tube behind the blocked front end with a mass of the filling. Subsequently a piston is provided to close the rear end of the tube behind the mass and the filled tube is poked into the piece of bread. The filled tube is then withdrawn from the piece of bread while holding the piston nondisplaceable and unblocking the front end of the tube so that the filling is left in the bread. The tube is of a diameter smaller than that of the piece of bread and is normally at least as long as the piece of bread. The front end is normally pointed so it can be poked into the bread to form its own hole.

Abstract: A method of making a morsel-containing, baked food product that exhibits a high degree of morsel visibility on a preselected surface, which in the case of a ready-to-serve cookie is its top surface. The method includes the steps of forming a continuously-moving dough rope containing randomly-distributed morsels, followed by penetrating the continuously-moving dough rope with means that engage and transversely move a portion of the randomly-distributed morsels to a pre-selected, peripheral area of the dough rope that corresponds to the baked product's pre-selected surface where high morsel visibility is ultimately desired. Thereafter, the continuously-moving dough rope is cut into a series of individual dough preforms that are either immediately baked into the final baked product as in the case of a ready-to-serve cookie, or wrapped in a suitable wrapper and subsequently baked or further sliced and then baked by a consumer at home.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding salt to a continuous stream of hot glutinous curd in the manufacture of Pasta Filata cheese, comprises an open-ended trough for passage therethrough of the stream of curd, a measuring roller rotatably mounted on a swing frame pivotally mounted on the trough with the roller in rolling engagement with the top of the curd, electrical means measuring the angle of the swing frame and the rotational speed of the roller so as to provide an output corresponding to the volumetric rate of flow of curd along the trough, and a vibratory conveyor supplying salt to the curd at a rate corresponding to the output of the electrical measuring means. The salt is mixed into the curd by power driven roller discs which project into the curd in the trough and draw the curd along the trough upon rotation of the roller discs.

Abstract: The machine for pitting olives and for stuffing the pitted olives with an edible paste, such as anchovy paste, a plurality of axially opening bonnets are arranged in a circle for rotation about an axis through a succession of stations. At a first station, a pit-containing olive is placed in each bonnet and held there by a fastening bush. Subsequently, the pit with an adhered tapin is punched from the olive; the pit is severed from the tapin and only the tapin is retained. As the pitted olive is rotated to a further station, a succession of orifices of a nozzle connected to an injector for stuffing paste is temporarily opened to the olive cavity. Then a gelification agent is applied to the paste contained in the olive, the saved tapin is restored to the olive as a cavity closure, and the fastening bush is withdrawn, freeing the stuffed olive from the machine.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing frozen confections includes a mixing head which accepts one or more flows of semi-frozen or viscous confection materials and combines them into a single flow, a slicing mechanism which transversely severs the flowing confections into individual products or bodies. Next, edible particulate matter is adhered to the upper surfaces of such products by an assembly having a vibratory portion dispenser and an air jet transfer and adhering assembly which is synchronized to the motion of a product conveyor. The confectionary bodies are then advanced into a refrigerated region where they chill and solidify. Finally, the chilled confectionary bodies are subjected to a chocolate spray or bath which is allowed to congeal and the products are then ready for packaging and are moved to a packaging area.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement of selected quantities of gas-producing solid fumigant at selected locations within the depth of a bulk-stored commodity within a storage compartment, such as grain loaded into the hold of a ship. The invention comprises a fabric sleeve projecting downwardly into the grain with a closed lower end at a selected depth, and an open filler pipe received into the sleeve through which a selected quantity of fumigant is poured. The filler pipe is withdrawn to leave the fumigant at a selected depth within the sleeve, whereupon the grain comprises against and closes upper unfilled sleeve portions thereby isolating the fumigant at a selected depth within the grain where it produces penetrating toxic gases to extreminate pests. In one form, the sleeve and filler pipe are inserted as an assembly to a relatively shallow depth within the grain subsequent to loading of the hold.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming longitudinally extending bores in food products includes a hollow circular coring knife having a cutting edge formed at a terminal end thereof. Another end of the knife is connected to a connection member rotatively carried by a bearing and which has a passageway formed along the length thereof in communication with the hollow portion of the circular knife. The connection member is rotatively driven by drive means and sealingly connected, at the passageway, to a vacuum source. A retainer structure carries two types of food products, one a relatively larger product in which a larger bore is formed by a knife. The retainer structure is slidable with respect to the knife so that the knife is inserted a predetermined extent of the length of the food product, normally a bun. A second food product, normally a wiener, is also placeable within the retainer structure and bored but at a smaller diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently dispensing fragile particulate material, such as sesame seeds through openings in a tube to spread material over an array of horizontally and vertically spaced rows and columns such as upper surfaces of buns in a pan. The dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper from which fragile particulate material is dispensed through a dispensing tube in which a mandrel driven by a variable speed motor is rotatably disposed. The mandrel has spaced spline teeth formed on its outer surface in dispensing sections separated by blocking collars spaced longitudinally of the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel causes particulate material to be dispensed in parallel columns and such that intermittent rotation of the mandrel causes the columns to be divided to form rows.

Abstract: A method for inserting tops for closing pitted fruit includes the steps of placing a piece of food on a conveyor belt, sliding the piece of food under a viewer, detecting the size and the position of the piece of food, supplying information on the position of the piece of food from the viewer through an electronic circuit to a die-cutting head, die-cutting the piece of food to obtain a segment thereof, cutting the segment into strips, transferring the strips to another conveyor belt, aligning the strips longitudinally on this other conveyor belt, supplying the aligned strips to a drum provided with a plurality of chambers, cutting the strips into closing tops, pitting a fruit in a pitter machine, placing the closing tops into housings in a turning plate, synchronizing the turning of the housings in the turning plate with the turning of the pitter machine, and stuffing one of the closing tops into the mouth of the pitted fruit.

Abstract: A comestible processing apparatus employs an auger and receptacle in processing. In order to protect the operator or anyone having access to the apparatus while the auger is moving, a safety door and switch are provided, disenabling the auger when the door is open or until the auger in the receptacle is inaccessible through the door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering foodstuff with granular and/or powdery material comprising a frame, a bunker supported by said frame receiving a supply of granular and/or powdery material and means for displacing the foodstuff along a path extending below an outlet port of the bunker, whereby below the outlet port a sieve plate having a plurality of apertures is arranged and the device comprises means for displacing the material flowing out of the bunker in a direction opposite the direction of displacement of the foodstuff during operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device to aid in the preparation of foodstuffs that combines the functions of a breader, a marinator and a preparation unit in a single apparatus. This device is comprised of a tiltable mixing head supported by a mobile service cart disposed with a variety of catch basins depending upon the function being performed by the device.

Abstract: A kitchen utensil has threaded end portion, a substantially straight middle portion connected to the threaded end portion and a plain portion disposed at an angle to the middle portion. A cutting member with a front cutting edge, a back edge and an aperture going therethrough from the front cutting edge to the back edge is attached to the threaded end portion in such manner that an axis of the aperture is substantially parallel to the directions of the threads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incorporating one or more additives throughout an expanded food product. An expandable mixture of moistened farinaceous and/or proteinaceous materials is extruded at elevated temperatures and pressures through the die orifice of an expander-cooker into the cylindrical bore of a tubular extrusion die which is secured to the external face of the extruder die plate. The cylindrical bore of the tubular die has the same cross-sectional area and shaped as the die orifice of the extruder, so that as the mixture passes longitudinally through the tubular die it is still radially confined and is maintained at the same high pressure and temperature as when extruded through the die orifice. One or more liquid additives are injected under pressure into the body of the farinaceous and/or proteinaceous mixture as it is passed through the tubular die, through a nozzle mounted concentrically within the cylindrical bore of the tubular die.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dry salting of plastic or pliable curd for cheese production comprises a hopper for the salt, dispensing means at the hopper outlet for sprinkling the salt onto the plastic curd, a comb member disposed downstream of the dispensing means and cooperating therewith, and means for operating the comb in such a manner that it penetrates into the curd in order to introduce the salt uniformly therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing frozen comestibles has a cup for receiving a frozen comestible and a rotatable auger mounted for movement relative to the cup. The cup is moved to the auger to create a pocket in the frozen material in a first relative movement and mixes the frozen material with an added flavoring and extrudes the mixture from the cup in a second operation. A counter is provided which counts only the number of second operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing and distributing additives into bodies of meat and the like. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member retained in a hollow cylindrical tubular member, the tubular member engaging with an additive reservoir. The cylindrical member performs as a plunger to dispense additives from the reservoir into the hollow cylinder which in turn are projected by the plunger into the meat or the like. The free end of the hollow cylinder is applied or inserted into meat or the like being cooked for consumption. The reservoir also contains a plunger.

Abstract: First and second rotary turrets are connected by a drive belt or chain which carries cups to carry and support the olives while they are being pitted and stuffed. Pitting takes place as the belt passes around one of the turrets and stuffing takes place while the belt passes around the other turret.A folded stuffing strip is fed radially of the stuffing turret and knives carried by the stuffing turret move transversely of the strip to cut off stuffing pieces and carry them away in vertical, stuffing alignment with the cups.

Abstract: An apparatus for salting cheese. A tank containing a quantity of salt is located outside of the finishing vat that contains the cheese curd. The curd in the vat is agitated by stirring paddles which are mounted on a rotating arm and one end of a salt supply line is connected to the bottom portion of the salt tank while the opposite end of the line is connected to the rotating arm within the vat. A pressure line, connected to a source of gas under pressure, is also connected to the bottom portion of the salt tank, opposite the connection of the salt supply line. The pressure line has a smaller diameter than the supply line and gas is jetted through the salt bed, causing salt to be drawn into the fast moving gas stream and delivered through the supply line to the vat where it is uniformly distributed onto the curds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insertable article for altering the cure rate and chemical composition of an object thus pierced which includes an elongated shaft, preferably formed from heat conductive material, and recesses extending along the length of the shaft provided with areas around the recess for the disposition of chemicals therein. The shaft has a terminus which is pointed for ease in insertion into the object, and the support areas and recesses are so disposed on an outer face of the shaft that the cure rate of the article and its chemical configuration is altered by a gradual leaching outwardly of the chemicals and a cure rate pattern altered by the heat conductive shaft.

Abstract: In an improved machine for pitting olives and then filling them with a paste, such as an anchovy paste, the olives are supplied from a hopper to a drum rotating on a fixed shaft. As the drum rotates, the pits are displaced out of the olives into orifices in nozzles mounted on the drum. The nozzles are radially displaceable. In addition to the pit containing orifices the nozzles also contain other orifices through which the paste is fed into the olives. The paste feeding orifices are spaced radially from the pit containing orifices in the nozzles. Paste is supplied from cartridges to radial slots in a feed disc and then into the nozzles mounted on the drum. The feed disc is mounted on a shaft spaced laterally from and parallel to the shaft for the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating the meat of an olive into two end portions and preparing such an olive for packing. This method and apparatus provides for receiving an olive and producing a cut substantially through the meat in a plane transverse to an axis extending through the ends of the olive, thus defining a pair of olive meat end portions each extending around and adhered to a portion of the olive pit, with the receiving and cut-producing structure being configured to restrain movement of the olive end portion along the axis while permitting movement of the pit of the olive along that axis. Also provided are first and second punches each aligned with and mounted for reciprocation along the axis between two sets of respective positions, in one set the punches being outside the respective ends of the olive meat end portions and in the other set of positions the punches extending at least partially through the olive meat end portions sufficient to dislodge the pit from the end portions.

Abstract: An economical, energy-saving apparatus for baking food products such as pretzels and the like includes an enclosed housing with an inlet for the introduction of the product to be baked and a door covering the inlet. The apparatus further includes an outlet for removal of the baked product, and a heating assembly for baking the product. Also included in the apparatus of the present invention is a conveyor system for conveying the product from the inlet through the heating assembly to the outlet. To remove the product from the conveying assembly, a removal apparatus is included within the housing for engaging the conveying assembly and removing the product therefrom. Also included in the apparatus of the present invention is a material dispenser for dispensing salt or similar material onto the product to be baked. The material dispenser is defined by a container that is in abutting engagement with the conveyor assembly so as to be engaged thereby resulting in the container being shook to dispense the material.

Abstract: A particulate material dispenser for use with a conveyor system wherein particulate material is applied to a plurality of substrate receiving bases carried on the conveyor system; comprising a hopper mounted on a frame over a portion of the conveyor system and having a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of spaced vertical side walls, and a reduced bottom wall. The bottom wall is provided with a plurality of spaced and aligned openings for allowing the passage of particulate material therethrough. An agitator shaft is disposed horizontally above the openings and has opposite ends journalled in the side walls. A plurality of tines are mounted on the agitator shaft and extend downwardly therefrom so that their lower ends are adjacent the openings. A motor is connected to the agitator shaft through intermediate collar rods, links, etc. to oscillate the shaft so to cause the tines to swing in an arc above the openings thereby urging the particulate material through the openings.

Abstract: The apparatus for making a filled tubular food product in which tubular dough pieces are extruded onto a supporting die member which maintains the internal diameter of the cavity in the dough piece fixed during raising and baking after which the cavity in the baked dough piece is filled with another relatively softer food product.

Abstract: First and second rotary turrets are connected by a drive belt or chain which carries cups to carry and support the olives while they are being pitted and stuffed. Pitting takes place as the belt passes around one of the turrets and stuffing takes place while the belt passes around the other turret.A folded stuffing strip is fed radially of the stuffing turret and knives carried by the stuffing turret move transversely of the strip to cut off stuffing pieces and carry them away in vertical, stuffing alignment with the cups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting solid spices and liquid spices into the interior of meat for seasoning prior to cooking. The apparatus are disclosed comprises a reservoir for holding the spices, a tapered meat-piercing rod inserted into the interior of meat by application of pressure from a tube containing a measured amount of spices. After reaching the desired depth, the tapered rod is withdrawn, leaving the spices in the meat, and the tube is recharged with spices for repetition of the injection process. Injecting pressure can be exerted on the tapered rod by a handle acting against spring bias means, or by compression of a trigger and handle apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying condiment, say salt to pretzels, wherein the pretzels or other articles are conveyed beneath a condiment dispenser for receiving condiment therefrom on the upper side of the article while condiment passes beneath the article to a collector, and the article is transferred to the collector onto collected condiment for application of the condiment to the under side of the article. The apparatus is selectively operable to apply condiment to only a single side of an article by feeding the article to the collector before deposit of condiment on the collector.