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.

A cake icing implement is disclosed for simultaneously smoothing icing on a top surface and a side surface of a cake. The cake icing implement may include a top smoother connected to a side smoother and configured to move with respect to the side smoother. The top smoother may be adapted to smooth the top surface of the cake. The side smoother may be adapted to smooth the side surface of the cake up to the top surface.

A system for the personalized production of foods including an automated selection station of the type of food requested by the customer, including the relative topping, and of the method of preparation thereof, a preparation station of the dough portions (P) that constitute the base of the requested foods (X,X), a first topping station of the dough portions (P) with ingredients to be cooked, a cooking station of the dough portions (P) with ingredients to be cooked, a delivery station to the customer of the finished foods (X), means (IS) for transporting the dough portions (P) and/or the foods (X,X) through the stations. The first topping station includes a counter with worker and a selection counter of the ingredients to be cooked freely accessible to the customers; the transportation means include a sorting device of the dough portions (P) towards the counter with worker or towards the selection counter.

A system for dispensing toppings onto a topping vehicle may include a hopper platform, hoppers, a retaining plate, a blade, and a hopper-advancing pin. The hoppers each include a hopper bracket slidably engaging the hopper platform. The blade is mounted on the retaining plate and may reciprocate relative to the retaining plate. The hopper-advancing pin is movable relative to the hoppers between deployed and stowed positions. The hopper-advancing pin may engage one of the hopper brackets in the deployed position such that movement of the retaining plate between retracted and extended positions causes movement of the hopper bracket and a respective hopper along a length of the hopper platform. The hopper-advancing pin may be disengaged from the hopper brackets in the deployed position to allow movement of the retaining plate between the retracted and extended positions without causing movement of the hopper brackets.

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.

The present invention relates to a sifter for sprinkling material, comprising a reservoir for sprinkling material, a sifter body, comprising at least one dispensing opening for the sprinkling material, a transporter, for transporting the sprinkling material from the reservoir to the sifter body, wherein the sifter body comprises a looped channel along the dispensing openings, and wherein the transporter is configured for circulation of the sprinkling material through the looped channel.

A system for the automated coating of baked good with a water based icing is provided. In particular, a system for the automated movement of icing and controls of variables such as temperature, moisture, and/or flow rate of the icing is provided to maintain the characteristics of the icing for extended periods of operation of an associated coating system.

A system includes a hopper, a permeable seal, a gas supply, and a receiver. The hopper includes an elongated housing holding a row of food products. The elongated housing defines a pressurized end opposite a discharge end through which the food products are dispensed. The permeable seal is interposed between an interior wall of the hopper and a surface of the piston. The permeable seal cooperates with the hopper and the piston to define a closed volume between the piston and the pressurized end. The permeable seal is configured to bleed gas from the closed volume toward the discharge end. The gas supply selectively supplies gas into the closed volume to displace the piston toward the discharge end. The receiver receives food products dispensed from the elongated housing and is positioned to allow the food products to move along at least partially by gravity.

Systems and methods are provided for placing toppings on a product. In one embodiment, a system comprises a mandrel configured to dispense toppings from a supply hopper, and a topping distributor disposed least partly downstream to the mandrel. The topping distributor comprising at least one opening, wherein at least some of the toppings that fail to exit through the at least one opening of the topping distributor are directed into a reclaim hopper. In one example, the topping distributor comprises at least one rotating drum that encircles the mandrel.

An automatic sandwich machine is provided. The machine receives customer selections for a number of sandwiches and combinations of toppings and sauces, and allows the customer to make a payment for the sandwiches. The machine places a bread piece into a bread heater, and while the bread heater is heating the bread piece, sprays sauces according to the customer selection and prepares a pre-determined amount of toppings according to a customer selection, a pre-determined amount of sliced meat from a grilled sandwich cone, and a pre-determined amount of cheese. The machine places toppings, sliced meat, and cheese onto the bread piece. The machine then wraps the bread piece to obtain a sandwich. Thereafter, the machine roasts the sandwich and places it into a packet. Finally, the machine delivers the packet with the sandwich to the customer via an outlet.