A food dispensing device that manually operates for applying pressure on a flexible container to release a food preparation, for example icing or filling, on a desired surface, for example on cakes, cupcakes, pastries or cookies.

A cooking apparatus used for filling and decorating of foods, comprising in some embodiments a one-piece, funnel-shaped bag with a soft side wall, having an open first end at the top through which food material and coloring agents can be inserted into the bag and a closed second end at the bottom end of the funnel, with an integral, malleable, conical shaped, discharge orifice. The orifice may have serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice, running longitudinally or parallel to the cone axis. The orifice may be initially closed or manufactured with a small opening. The orifice may be made of a material capable of being cut to yield an exit opening. The inwardly extending serrations that remain after a cut may insure that the material is treated as it is expelled from the bag through the orifice to yield a ribbon candy design.

A baked goods handling system includes a holding cabinet operable to create a controlled environment therein. A dispenser receives a baked good from the holding cabinet and directs the baked good away from the holding cabinet. A treatment device receives the baked good from the dispenser to perform a treatment on the baked good.

A baked goods handling system includes a holding cabinet operable to create a controlled environment therein. A dispenser receives a baked good from the holding cabinet and directs the baked good away from the holding cabinet. A treatment device receives the baked good from the dispenser to perform a treatment on the baked good.

A piping bag dispenser assembly includes a disk that has a receiver slot extending through the disk thereby facilitating a piping bag to be inserted through the receiver slot. A dispensing unit is rotatably integrated into the disk and the dispensing unit is aligned with the receiver slot. In this way the dispensing unit can frictionally engage the piping bag when the piping bag is inserted through the receiver slot. The dispensing unit urges the piping bag through the receiver slot when the dispensing unit is turned on. In this way the dispensing unit can urge icing outwardly through the piping bag for decorating a cake.

A donut icer or icing system is disclosed herein. The icing system is surprisingly more efficient than known methods of applying frosting to baked or fried goods, specifically, donuts. The increase in efficiency over known methods is accomplished generally through use of a plurality of conveyor belts, an icing bath, and a flip shaft assembly that allows frosted goods or donuts to flip icing side up before discharge from the system.

A donut icer or icing system is disclosed herein. The icing system is surprisingly more efficient than known methods of applying frosting to baked or fried goods, specifically, donuts. The increase in efficiency over known methods is accomplished generally through use of a plurality of conveyor belts, an icing bath, and a flip shaft assembly that allows frosted goods or donuts to flip icing side up before discharge from the system.

One variation of a method for dispensing toppings onto topping vehicles includes: indexing a first topping vehicle to a first position adjacent a first topping module, the first topping module including a first hopper containing a first topping of a first topping type; indexing a second topping vehicle to a second position adjacent a second topping module including a second hopper containing a second topping of a second topping type; retracting a first blade of the first topping module; advancing the first blade through the first topping; retracting a first retaining plate to dispense a topping slice from the first topping onto the first topping vehicle according to a first topping order for the first topping vehicle specifying the first topping type, the first retaining plate offset from the first blade opposite the first hopper; advancing the first retaining plate; and indexing the first topping vehicle to the second position.

An automatic sandwich maker designed to automate the process of preparing sandwiches, including hamburgers, is included. This automated sandwich maker is designed for use in commercial kitchens, including small commercial kitchens, such as fast-food kitchens. The apparatus and method for automatically making sandwiches overcomes the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art. The individual sandwich process can be controlled by communications interface with a point of sales system. The inventive apparatus and method reduces manpower requirements for restaurants, provides enhanced ingredient control, and improves overall product quality.

The invention relates to a baked product which is adapted before during and/or after baking to have one or more images on at least one surface thereof. The image can be applied to an external surface or a surface of a portion of the baked product which is formed, typically by cutting. The portions can be reformatted into the baked product shape and packaged as a retail item after the one or more images have been applied thereto and the images are only exposed when the portions are subsequently removed for consumption. The substance used to form the image can be applied using contactless application apparatus.