A dispensing device for dispensing a granular material, comprising a dispensing channel (20) provided with an inlet opening (21) and an outlet opening (22). The dispensing channel (20) comprises an intermediate portion (23), which connects the inlet (21) and outlet (22) openings and is provided with a longitudinal axis (Y); the intermediate portion (23) has a length (L) and a height (H), measured on a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the height (H) is measured perpendicular to the length (L). The intermediate portion (23) is configured to enable the deposit and accumulation of a predetermined quantity of granular material coming from the inlet opening (21); Motor means are provided which can be activated on command to cause the granular material to flow in advancement from the intermediate portion (23) towards the outlet opening (22).

A dispensing device for dispensing a granular material, comprising a dispensing channel (20) provided with an inlet opening (21) and an outlet opening (22). The dispensing channel (20) comprises an intermediate portion (23), which connects the inlet (21) and outlet (22) openings and is provided with a longitudinal axis (Y); the intermediate portion (23) has a length (L) and a height (H), measured on a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the height (H) is measured perpendicular to the length (L). The intermediate portion (23) is configured to enable the deposit and accumulation of a predetermined quantity of granular material coming from the inlet opening (21); Motor means are provided which can be activated on command to cause the granular material to flow in advancement from the intermediate portion (23) towards the outlet opening (22).

Device for providing dough products with a topping material, comprising a dough product conveyor, for transporting the dough products, a topping conveyor, for conveying the topping towards a dispensing location above the dough product conveyor, a collector for superfluous topping material from the dough product conveyor and a topping material sensor for measuring the distribution of the topping material in width direction of the topping conveyor, a controller, for controlling, based at least on the signal from the topping sensor(s), the movements of a rake.

Device for providing dough products with a topping material, comprising a dough product conveyor, for transporting the dough products, a topping conveyor, for conveying the topping towards a dispensing location above the dough product conveyor, a collector for superfluous topping material from the dough product conveyor and a topping material sensor for measuring the distribution of the topping material in width direction of the topping conveyor, a controller, for controlling, based at least on the signal from the topping sensor(s), the movements of a rake.

A production line for powder coating items, such as food pieces, having a conveyor and a powder depositor arranged having a powder reservoir, a screen, a vibratory actuator to apply intermittent vibrations to the screen to cause powder to pass through apertures in the screen; and a controller to control the interval between the intermittent vibrations so that powder is deposited predominantly onto the items as they pass below the screen.

A production line for powder coating items, such as food pieces, having a conveyor and a powder depositor arranged having a powder reservoir, a screen, a vibratory actuator to apply intermittent vibrations to the screen to cause powder to pass through apertures in the screen; and a controller to control the interval between the intermittent vibrations so that powder is deposited predominantly onto the items as they pass below the screen.

A machine and method for the surface treatment of a base ceramic article having at least one surface to be treated; wherein a first printing assembly applies a first layer of adhesive material on at least part of the surface to be treated; a first depositing assembly deposits a second layer of powder material on at least part of the first layer so as to remain stuck to the first layer; and a second printing assembly applies a third layer, which comprises (in particular, consisting of) an adhesive and/or covering material, on at least part of the second layer.

A machine and method for the surface treatment of a base ceramic article having at least one surface to be treated; wherein a first printing assembly applies a first layer of adhesive material on at least part of the surface to be treated; a first depositing assembly deposits a second layer of powder material on at least part of the first layer so as to remain stuck to the first layer; and a second printing assembly applies a third layer, which comprises (in particular, consisting of) an adhesive and/or covering material, on at least part of the second layer.

A powder spreading apparatus includes a hopper having a first end, a second end opposite from the first end, a front wall, a rear wall opposite from the front wall, and a floor. The front wall, the rear wall, the first end, the second end, and the floor define an interior. An impeller is disposed within the interior of the hopper. The impeller includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced flutes and is configured to rotate about an impeller axis that extends from the first end of the hopper to the second end of the hopper to deposit powder onto a print area. A spreader rod is coupled to the hopper and extends along a spreader rod axis parallel to the impeller axis. The spreader rod is configured to rotate about the spreader rod axis to smooth the powder as it is deposited onto the print area. A powder spreading method is disclosed that operates an impeller to start depositing powder from a hopper into a print area located within a build box as a gantry moves the hopper in a first direction across the print area; operating a spreader rod to smooth out the powder on the print area as the gantry moves the hopper and the spreader rod across the print area in the first direction; and upon the gantry reaching a predetermined position in the print area, stopping the impeller to stop depositing the powder while continuing to operate the spreader rod.

Provided is a powder supply device including a storage tank in which an internal space that stores powder and a discharge port that discharges the powder from the internal space to outside are formed, a roller that has an outer peripheral surface formed of a rough surface and is rotatably provided, in the discharge port, to face both the internal space and the outside, and a doctor blade that is provided at the discharge port and faces the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The internal space includes a first chamber into which the powder is charged and a second chamber in which the doctor blade is disposed. The first chamber communicates with the second chamber via an opening. A partition member that restricts the width of the opening is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The powder charged into the first chamber moves to the second chamber through the opening.