A bulk material processing system and method for operation of such a system is provided. In one example, the bulk material processing system may include a conveyor assembly including, a conveyor with a conveyor surface supporting a plurality of constituents of the bulk material received from a bulk material source and a motor configured to generate conveyor movement. The bulk material processing system also includes a heating assembly including a first heater configured to generate heat at a first heating zone on the conveyor surface, and a coating application assembly including a first coating source configured to provide a first liquid coating to a first spray nozzle configured to spray the first liquid coating onto a portion of the plurality of constituents of the bulk material in the first heating zone while the first heater is activated.

The present invention relates to the preparation of granules and popped granules comprising functional substances, or active substances, and a carbohydrate carrier material, or matrix material, to the use of such granules, and the granules thus obtained. In the inventive preparation, a water-soluble dietary fiber is mixed with the functional substance in the presence of water or other aqueous solution, dried, and, after drying, converted in granules. The granules with improved properties thus obtained can be popped, providing popped granules with improved properties.

A machine for preparing snacks comprises a source of compressed gas (CA) and pneumatic actuators (100.sub.1, 200.sub.1, 100.sub.2, 200.sub.2) for causing displacements among an upper mould plate (UP), a lower mould plate (LP) and an intermediate mould plate (IP). The pneumatic actuators (100.sub.1, 200.sub.1, 100.sub.2, 200.sub.2), comprise a compression pneumatic-cylinder (100.sub.1, 100.sub.2) having a plunger (102) delimits a first and second chambers (A, B) having variable volume. The second chamber (B) is connected with the source of compressed gas (CA) via a first duct (L.sub.1, La.sub.1, La.sub.2), the first chamber (A) is connectable to the second chamber (B) through a second duct (SLa, SLb), and the first chamber (A) is also connected to the second chamber (B) via a third duct (EL). A flow-regulator device (FR.sub.1, FR.sub.2) is set on the second duct (SLa, SLb), and a shut-off member (CV.sub.1, CV.sub.2) is set on the third duct (EL).

A machine for preparing snacks comprises a source of compressed gas (CA) and pneumatic actuators (100.sub.1, 200.sub.1, 100.sub.2, 200.sub.2) for causing displacements among an upper mould plate (UP), a lower mould plate (LP) and an intermediate mould plate (IP). The pneumatic actuators (100.sub.1, 200.sub.1, 100.sub.2, 200.sub.2), comprise a compression pneumatic-cylinder (100.sub.1, 100.sub.2) having a plunger (102) delimits a first and second chambers (A, B) having variable volume. The second chamber (B) is connected with the source of compressed gas (CA) via a first duct (L.sub.1, La.sub.1, La.sub.2), the first chamber (A) is connectable to the second chamber (B) through a second duct (SLa, SLb), and the first chamber (A) is also connected to the second chamber (B) via a third duct (EL). A flow-regulator device (FR.sub.1, FR.sub.2) is set on the second duct (SLa, SLb), and a shut-off member (CV.sub.1, CV.sub.2) is set on the third duct (EL).

A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.

A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.

The present application relates to a method of cooking cereal grains comprising a first step (S1) of subjecting an initial volume of cereal grains (3) to hot air in a vessel (2) having air temperature between 150 to 250 degrees Centrigrade for between 30 to 180 second; and a second step (S2) of subjecting the expanded cereal grains (3) to boiling water and/or steam. The second step (S2) is performed subsequent to the first step (S1) whilst the expanded cereal grains remain in the vessel (2). A device for cooking cereal grains (3) is also disclosed. The invention increases the overall volume of the cooked cereal grains compared to conventional cooking methods which results in cereal grains having a lower energy density.

The present application relates to a method of cooking cereal grains comprising a first step (S1) of subjecting an initial volume of cereal grains (3) to hot air in a vessel (2) having air temperature between 150 to 250 degrees Centrigrade for between 30 to 180 second; and a second step (S2) of subjecting the expanded cereal grains (3) to boiling water and/or steam. The second step (S2) is performed subsequent to the first step (S1) whilst the expanded cereal grains remain in the vessel (2). A device for cooking cereal grains (3) is also disclosed. The invention increases the overall volume of the cooked cereal grains compared to conventional cooking methods which results in cereal grains having a lower energy density.

A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.

A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.