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 stowed position to allow movement of the retaining plate between the retracted and extended positions without causing movement of the hopper brackets.

According to an embodiment, a method for manufacturing tofu comprises preparing a basic softening solution, soaking a tofu in the basic softening solution, applying a frying powder to a surface of the soaked tofu, and frying the frying powder-applied in oil.

Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.

Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.

A contactless or touchless dispenser is provided, such as for condiments or similar food service related items. The dispenser allows a user to obtain a quantity of a condiment without being required to touch the condiment dispenser. The dispenser includes a controller for controlling a dispensing mechanism, such as in response to an instruction received from a remote device, or by touchless input, such as by detecting a utensil. The controller may control the dispensing mechanism to cause the dispenser to dispense condiment for a particular period of time or to dispense a particular quantity of condiment.

A contactless or touchless dispenser is provided, such as for condiments or similar food service related items. The dispenser allows a user to obtain a quantity of a condiment without being required to touch the condiment dispenser. The dispenser includes a controller for controlling a dispensing mechanism, such as in response to an instruction received from a remote device, or by touchless input, such as by detecting a utensil. The controller may control the dispensing mechanism to cause the dispenser to dispense condiment for a particular period of time or to dispense a particular quantity of condiment.

The food breading device is configured for use with a target foodstuff and a coating foodstuff. The coating foodstuff has a bulk solid phase. The food breading device coats the coating foodstuff on the target foodstuff. The food breading device includes a containment shell, a paddle structure, and a timing device. The timing device attaches to the containment shell. The paddle structure mounts in the containment shell. The target foodstuff is placed inside the containment shell. The paddle structure is a rotating structure. The paddle structure rotates such that the paddle structure changes the position of the target foodstuff within the containment shell. The rotation of the paddle structure further releases the coating foodstuff onto the target foodstuff.

The food breading device is configured for use with a target foodstuff and a coating foodstuff. The coating foodstuff has a bulk solid phase. The food breading device coats the coating foodstuff on the target foodstuff. The food breading device includes a containment shell, a paddle structure, and a timing device. The timing device attaches to the containment shell. The paddle structure mounts in the containment shell. The target foodstuff is placed inside the containment shell. The paddle structure is a rotating structure. The paddle structure rotates such that the paddle structure changes the position of the target foodstuff within the containment shell. The rotation of the paddle structure further releases the coating foodstuff onto the target foodstuff.

Provided is a breadcrumb mix that enables production of cooked breaded food having good appearance and texture. A breadcrumb modifier contains a pregelatinized hydroxypropylated starch and/or a pregelatinized acetylated starch. The breadcrumb mix contains the breadcrumb modifier.

The present disclosure teaches systems and methods for coating and cooking goods. One system for coating of goods can comprise a source of powder for coating the goods, a source of gas to create a gas stream to carry the powder and the goods in a combined stream through a tunnel or chamber comprising air bearings to keep the goods and the powder from contacting the inner surface of the tunnel or chamber, and a system for recirculating unused powder for reuse. One method for coating goods can comprise combining additive powder with at least one gas stream in a powder circulation chamber and forming a powder gas stream, forming an air bearing on an inner surface of the powder distribution tunnel wherein the powder distribution tunnel comprises an inner tube and outer tube can be separated by a plenum, wherein the air bearing is formed by directing a gas stream through the at least one compressed air inlet causing the tunnel gas stream to form a circular vortex ring having a centrifugal force equal to a pressure gradient outward and releasing goods into the powder distribution tunnel to coat the goods.