A system for preserving and metering ingredients, including a set of compartments arranged in a preservation chamber and a device for removing and metering ingredients for removing a predetermined quantity of ingredients from at least one compartment, the removing device including (i) a collecting vessel intended to temporarily store, in successive layers, the ingredients withdrawn from each compartment, (ii) a controlled conveying mechanism intended to move the collecting vessel into the vicinity of each compartment, and (iii) a control unit. A distribution device is intended to dispose the removed ingredients randomly and homogeneously on the surface of a substrate.

An apparatus for topping food products that have a peripheral edge and an upper surface, wherein the food products rest upon a pan with a peripheral edge. The apparatus includes an annular guide with an axis and a guide surface terminating at an inner edge defining a central opening. The guide surface is substantially non-parallel to the axis, and may form an angle between about 20 and 60 degrees with the axis. An annular skirt is mounted coaxially to the annular guide and is disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the pan. The inner edge of the guide surface is disposed a first predetermined distance from the food product's upper surface and a second predetermined distance radially inwardly of the food product's peripheral edge, thereby causing toppings dropped onto the annular guide to be guided radially inwardly of the inner edge.

An apparatus for topping food products that have a peripheral edge and an upper surface, wherein the food products rest upon a pan with a peripheral edge. The apparatus includes an annular guide with an axis and a guide surface terminating at an inner edge defining a central opening. The guide surface is substantially non-parallel to the axis, and may form an angle between about 20 and 60 degrees with the axis. An annular skirt is mounted coaxially to the annular guide and is disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the pan. The inner edge of the guide surface is disposed a first predetermined distance from the food product's upper surface and a second predetermined distance radially inwardly of the food product's peripheral edge, thereby causing toppings dropped onto the annular guide to be guided radially inwardly of the inner edge.

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.

The invention relates to a device for portioning a dough mass, comprising a receiving chamber for holding said dough mass comprising a discharge opening, a pair of opposing rotary cutters provided at the discharge opening and arranged for rotation in mutually opposite directions, wherein each cutter comprises at least one blade rotatable around a rotary axis, which blade cooperates with the blade of the other cutter for cutting the dough mass into separate portions, and a release agent delivery system for applying a release agent onto the blades of the rotary cutters, wherein the release agent delivery system is configured for applying the release agent on opposing sides of each of the blades. The invention further relates to a release agent delivery system for use in such a device and a method for portioning a dough mass using such a device.

The invention relates to a device for portioning a dough mass, comprising a receiving chamber for holding said dough mass comprising a discharge opening, a pair of opposing rotary cutters provided at the discharge opening and arranged for rotation in mutually opposite directions, wherein each cutter comprises at least one blade rotatable around a rotary axis, which blade cooperates with the blade of the other cutter for cutting the dough mass into separate portions, and a release agent delivery system for applying a release agent onto the blades of the rotary cutters, wherein the release agent delivery system is configured for applying the release agent on opposing sides of each of the blades. The invention further relates to a release agent delivery system for use in such a device and a method for portioning a dough mass using such a device.

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 food product flavoring apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a removable container configured to contain a flavor target, a means for agitating the flavor target, and a housing. The housing is configured to receive the agitated flavor target when the removable container is adjacent the housing such that the container opening is aligned with the housing opening. The apparatus further includes a means for applying a flavoring agent to the agitated flavor target a means for removing substantially all residual flavoring agent from the housing after the flavor target has been flavored. A method of applying a flavoring agent to a flavor target is also provided.

A particulate duster system includes a duster used to apply particulate matter to a food product moving along a conveyor positioned beneath the duster. The duster is used to uniformly dispense particulate matter onto a moving product conveyor for carrying a food product to be dusted.

A particulate duster system includes a duster used to apply particulate matter to a food product moving along a conveyor positioned beneath the duster. The duster is used to uniformly dispense particulate matter onto a moving product conveyor for carrying a food product to be dusted.