Apparatus for dispensing a quantity of material on a shell

Abstract

A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the good material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing passes through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor and at a second end to a distributing blade. The apparatus can be operated to dispense food material either on sequential target foods that advance on a stop- and - go conveyor belt, or on virtually stationary transfer belts that then advance and deliver food material thereon to sequential target foods that are advancing on a continuously operating conveyor belt.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping food material to a target food, comprising: 
       a first hopper for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the food material through an outlet toward a target food location; and  
       a first food distributing system for spreading the food material over the target food at the target food location, the food distributing system including  
       a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper,  
       a curved conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end releaseably connected to the motor and the distal end for insertion into the hopper, and  
       a flexible, rotary shaft for stirring the food material, the flexible, rotary shaft passing through the curved conduit and operatively connected at a first rotary shaft end thereof to the motor, and  
       
         a rotatable distributing blade for evenly distributing the food material so delivered from the outlet, the distributing blade being operatively connected to a second rotary shaft end.  
       
     
     
       2. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first food distributing system includes a stirring shaft operatively connected to a second end of the flexible, rotary shaft. 
     
     
       3. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a collar is fitted around the distal end of the curved conduit for preventing the food material from entering the conduit. 
     
     
       4. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the collar comprises interlocking first and second parts, the second part extending down a length of the stirring shaft and in communication with an abutment on the stirring shaft. 
     
     
       5. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 4  wherein a distributing blade for evenly spreading the food material over the target location is operatively connected to the stirring shaft. 
     
     
       6. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a conveyor belt for transporting in a sequence a plurality of the target food foods toward the first hopper for passage beneath the first hopper outlet and over the target food location, the conveyor belt including means for advancing the conveyor belt in a stop and go manner. 
     
     
       7. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 1   
       wherein a conveyor belt, including means for continuously advancing the conveyor belt, is positioned under the outlet and over the target food location and whereon a plurality of target foods is sequentially arranged,  
       
         wherein a mask member is located in circumferentially spaced relationship about the outlet for conforming so delivered and distributed food material, 
       
       wherein the target location is a transfer belt of shorter length than the conveyor belt and is positioned beneath the mask member, and between and in vertical alignment with the conveyor belt and also the first hopper outlet, and the transfer belt includes stop- and - go drive means, and    
       wherein the food material so delivered by the hopper and distributed by the distributing blade within the mask member is deposited on the transfer belt while stationary after which the transfer belt advances and which delivers the food material thereon to the an individual target food of the plurality of target foods located and advancing on the conveyor belt. 
     
     
       8. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second hopper and a second food distributing system. 
     
     
       9. The food material dispensing apparatus of claim  1   7 further comprising means for determining the location of theeach succeeding target food of the target food plurality on the conveyor belt and means for synchronizing the relative positions of the hopper and the target location whereineach location- identified succeeding target food on the advancing conveyor belt with the food material so deposited on the advancing transfer belt whereby  the food material is delivered in an accurate and precise manner to theeach target food. 
     
     
       10. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the means for determining the location of the each succeeding target food on the conveyor belt is a photoeye. 
     
     
       11. A continuous food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping food material to each one of a plurality of similarly sized target foods, sequentially arranged on a continuously advancing conveyor belt, the apparatus comprising: 
       a first and a second hopper, each hopper for receiving the food material in an inlet and for delivering the food material through an outlet toward a plurality of target locations foods that progressively advance generally beneath the outlets of the first and the second hoppers; and  
       a first and a second curved conduit, each conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends releaseably connected to each of first and second motors, respectively, and the distal ends for insertion into each of the first and the second hoppers, respectively, and a first flexible, rotary shaft and a second flexible, rotary shaft for stirring the food material , the flexible, rotary shafts passing through each of the first and the second conduits, respectively,  and being operatively connected at each first ends end thereof to each of the first and the second motors, respectively.  
     
     
       12. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 11  wherein first and second stirring shafts for mixing the food material are each operatively connected to a second end of each of the first and the second flexible, rotary shafts, respectively. 
     
     
       13. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 12  wherein a first and a second distributing blades blade is located adjacent to the outlet of each of the first and the second hoppers, respectively, for evenly distributing the food material over the target locations are so delivered from each outlet connected to the first and the second stirring shafts, respectively. 
     
     
       14. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 13  wherein first and second collars for preventing the food material from entering the first and the second conduits, respectively, are fitted around the distal ends of each of the first and the second conduits, respectively. 
     
     
       15. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the first and the second collars each comprise interlocking first and second parts, the each second parts part extending down a portion of the length of the first and the second stirring shafts, respectively, and being in communication with an abutment on each of the first and the second stirring shafts, respectively. 
     
     
       16. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a conveyor belt located beneath the outlets of the first and the second hoppers and with which the outlets of the first and the second hoppers are vertically and longitudinally aligned relative to the direction of conveyor belt advance, including means for continuously advancing the conveyor belt, and on which the plurality of target foods is sequentially arranged, for transporting the target foods toward the first and the second hoppers and successively beneath the first and the second hopper outlets, respectively. 
     
     
       17. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 16   
       wherein a first and a second shroud is located in circumferentially spaced relationship about each of the first and the second outlets, respectively,  
       wherein the target locations are located atop a first and a second transfer belts belt is positioned beneath the first and the second mask members, respectively, and is in vertical alignment with and is located between the underlying conveyor belt and the overlying outlets of the first and the second hoppers, respectively, and each of the first and the second transfer belts has first and second stop- and - go drive means, respectively, and    
       wherein the food material is deposited on the from the outlet of each of the first and the second hoppers through the first and the second distributing blades, respectively, and through the first and the second mask members, respectively, onto each of the first and the second transfer belts which deliver , respectively, while each of the first and the second transfer belts is stationary after which each of the transfer belts advances and delivers the food material to thereon to respective individual succeeding target foods of the plurality of target foods located on the continuously advancing conveyor belt.  
     
     
       18. The food material dispensing apparatus of claim  11   17 further comprising 
       photoeye means for determining the location of theeach succeeding target food of the plurality of target foods advancing on the conveyor belt in relation to the first and the second transfer belts, said photoeye means being located in a fixed position over the conveyor belt and before the outlet of the first hopper relative to the direction of advance of the conveyor belt, and  
       control means cooperative with the photoeye means for sequentially, selectively and cyclically advancing each one of the first and the second transfer belts, and for synchronizing the relative positions of the hopper and the target locationof each so advancing one of the first and the second transfer belts with each so- location determined, succeeding target food on the continuously advancing conveyor belt,    
       whereinwhereby the food material so deposited on each transfer belt is delivered in an accurate and precise manner to each succeeding one of the target foodfoods advancing on the conveyor belt.  
     
     
       19. The food material dispensing apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the means for determining the location of each succeeding the target food on the conveyor belt is a photoeye. 
     
     
       20. A continuous food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping food material to each one of a plurality of target foods of predetermined uniform individual size, comprising: 
       a first and a second hopper, each hopper for receiving the food material at an inlet and for gravitationally delivering a predetermined amount of the food material through an outlet toward a plurality of target locations of predetermined size ;  
       a first and a second motor, each motor positioned at a distance from the first and second hoppersrespectively;  
       a first and a second curved conduit, each conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends each being releaseably connected to the first and second motors, respectively, and each of the distal ends for insertion into the first and the second hoppers, respectively, and a first and a second flexible, rotary shaft for stirring the food material , each of the flexible, rotary shafts passing through the first and second conduits, respectively, and operatively connected at respective flexible, rotary shaft first ends to each of the first and the second motors, respectively;  
       a first and a second stirring shaft for mixing the food material , each stirring shaft operatively connected to a second end of each respective flexible, rotary shaft;  
       a first distributing blade and a second distributing blade for evenly distributing the predetermined amount of food material over the food targets connected to the first and second stirring shafts, respectively so delivered from the outlet of each of the first and the second hoppers, respectively;  
       
         a first and a second mask member, each mask member located in circumferentially spaced relationship to the outlet of each of the first and the second hoppers, respectively, and each mask member being similarly configured relative to the other, so that the mask members conform to the size of the individual target foods of the plurality of target foods; 
       
       a conveyor belt for transporting the target foods toward the first and second hoppers that extends beneath the outlets of the first and the second hoppers and also beneath the first and the second mask members, respectively, that is vertically and longitudinally aligned relative to the direction of conveyor belt advance with the first and the second hoppers, respectively, that include means for continuously and uniformly advancing the conveyor belt, and that on which the plurality of target foods is sequentially arranged for transporting the target foods toward the first and the second hoppers and successively beneath the outlets of the first and the second hopper outlets, respectively;  
       means for predetermining the size of each target food positioned on the conveyor belt; 
       means for predetermining the amount of food material needed to cover each food target in communication with the means for predetermining the size of the target food; and 
       a first transfer belt and a second transfer belt, that are each of shorter length than the conveyor belt, that are each transfer belt positioned in vertical alignment with and between the conveyor belt wherein the predetermined amount of food material is deposited from the hoppers onto the transfer belts which continuously deliver the food material to the plurality of target foods located on the conveyor belt. and the outlet of a different one of each of the first and the second hoppers, respectively, and that are each provided with a first and a second stop and go drive means, respectively, so that the predetermined amount of the food material so delivered from the outlet of each of the first and the second hoppers is deposited onto the first and the second transfer belts, respectively, while stationary, after which the transfer belts each advance in the direction of advance of the conveyor belt and deliver the food material thereon to individual target foods of the plurality of target foods located on the conveyor belt;  
       
         photoeye means for determining the location of each succeeding target food of the plurality of target foods advancing on the conveyor belt in relation to the first and the second transfer belts, said photoeye means being located in a fixed position over the conveyor belt and before the outlet of the first hopper relative to the direction of advance of the conveyor belt; and  
       
         control means cooperative with the photoeye means for sequentially, selectively and cyclically advancing each one of the first and the second transfer belts, and for synchronizing the relative positions of each so advancing one of the first and the second transfer belts with the position of each so - location determined, succeeding target food on the continuously advancing conveyor belt;   
       
         whereby the food material so deposited on each transfer belt is sequentially delivered in an accurate and precise manner to each succeeding one of the target foods advancing on the conveyor belt. 
       
     
     
       21. A continuous food material dispensing system for adding a food material to each one of a plurality of similar target foods comprising: 
       ( a )  a conveyor belt for continuously transporting said plurality of target foods sequentially, including means for continuously advancing the conveyor belt;   
       ( b )  a hopper that is vertically located over said conveyor belt, said hopper having an upper inlet for receiving and a lower outlet that is smaller than the upper outlet for delivering a predetermined amount of food material charged to said hopper;   
       ( c )  a plurality of distributing blades positioned adjacent to said outlet, including means for rotating said distributing blades, for evenly distributing food material so delivered from said outlet;   
       ( d )  a mask member located in circumferentially spaced relationship about said outlet, said mask member for defining the area in which food material so delivered from said outlet is evenly distributed;   
       ( e )  a transfer belt of substantially shorter length than said conveyor belt positioned between and in vertical alignment with said conveyor belt and with said outlet, and having a stop and go drive means, for receiving while stationary food material so delivered from said outlet, and thereafter for advancing in the direction of advance of said conveyor belt to deliver so received food material thereon from a forward edge region thereof upon a succeeding target food of said target food plurality on said conveyor belt that is vertically aligned with said forward end region and that is so advancing on said conveyor belt;   
       ( f )  photoeye means located in a fixed position over said conveyor belt and upstream from said transfer belt for determining the leading edge location of each succeeding target food of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt; and   
       ( g )  control means cooperative with both said transfer belt and also with said photoeye means, for synchronizing the advance of said transfer belt with the advance of each said so photoeye location determined succeeding target food advancing on said conveyor belt until said food material is transferred from said advancing transfer belt to said succeeding target food;    
       
         whereby food material so received on said transfer belt is so delivered to each succeeding one of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt. 
       
     
     
       22. A continuous food material dispensing system for adding a food material to each one of a plurality of similar target foods comprising: 
       ( a )  a conveyor belt for continuously transporting said plurality of target foods sequentially including means for continuously advancing the conveyor belt;    
       ( b )  a plurality of hoppers that are vertically located over and are longitudinally aligned relative to each other and relative to the direction of advance of said conveyor belt, each hopper having an upper inlet for receiving and a lower outlet that is smaller than the upper outlet for delivering a predetermined amount of food material charged to each said hopper;    
       ( c )  a plurality of distributing blades, each one positioned adjacent to a different outlet of each one of said hoppers, including means for rotating each said distributing blade, each distributing blade for evenly distributing food material so delivered from each said hopper;    
       ( d )  a plurality of similarly configured mask members, each mask member being located in circumferentially spaced relationship about a different outlet of each one of said hoppers, each mask member for defining the area in which food material is so delivered is evenly distributed;    
       ( e )  a plurality of transfer belts, each one of substantially shorter length than said conveyor belt, each one positioned between and in vertical alignment with said conveyor belt and with a different one of said hoppers, each one having a stop - and - go drive means, and each one for receiving while stationary food material so delivered and so distributed from the vertically adjacent one of said hoppers, and thereafter for advancing in the direction of advance of said conveyor belt to deliver so received food material thereon from a forward edge region thereof upon a succeeding target food of said target food plurality that is vertically aligned therewith and that is so advancing on said conveyor belt;    
       ( f )  photoeye means located in a fixed position over said conveyor belt and upstream from said transfer belts for determining the leading edge location of each succeeding target food of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt; and    
       ( g )  control means cooperative with said photoeye means, for sequentially, selectively and cyclically advancing each one of said transfer belts of said transfer belt plurality, and for synchronizing the advance of each advancing one of said transfer belts with the advance of each said so photoeye location determined succeeding target food advancing on said conveyor belt until said food material is transferred from said advancing transfer belt to said succeeding target food;    
       
         whereby food material so received on each said transfer belt is so delivered to each succeeding one of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt. 
       
     
     
       23. The food material dispensing system of  claim 21  wherein said plurality of hoppers comprises two hoppers, said plurality of distributing blades comprises two distributing blades, said plurality of mask members comprises two mask members, and said plurality of transfer belts comprises two transfer belts. 
     
     
       24. A method for dispensing food material upon individual target foods that are sequentially arranged on a conveyor belt that continuously advances along an elongated, generally horizontal first pathway, said method comprising the succeeding steps of: 
       ( a )  locating a plurality of hoppers vertically over and in longitudinal alignment relative to each other and relative to the direction of advance of said conveyor belt, each hopper having an upper inlet for receiving and having a lower outlet that is smaller than the upper outlet and delivering, a predetermined amount of food material charged to each hopper;    
       ( b )  positioning a plurality of distributing blades, each blade being adjacent a different outlet of each one of said hoppers, and rotating each said distributing blade, and evenly distributing food material so delivered from each said hopper;    
       ( c )  establishing a plurality of similarly configured mask members, each mask member being set in circumferentially spaced relationship about a different outlet of each one of said hoppers, and defining the area in which food material is so delivered is evenly distributed;    
       ( d )  arranging a plurality of transfer belts, each transfer belt being of substantially shorter length than said conveyor belt, each transfer belt being positioned between and in vertical alignment with said conveyor belt and with a different one of said hoppers, and providing stop and go advancing means for each transfer belt, and each transfer belt receiving while stationary food material so delivered and so distributed from the vertically adjacent one of said hoppers, and thereafter advancing in the direction of advance of said conveyor belt to deliver so received food material thereon from a forward edge region thereof upon a succeeding target food of said target food plurality advancing on said conveyor belt while said succeeding target food is vertically aligned therewith;    
       ( e )  locating a photoeye in a fixed position over said conveyor belt and upstream from said transfer belts and determining the leading edge location of each succeeding target food of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt; and    
       ( f )  interconnecting said photoeye, and sequentially, selectively and cyclically advancing each one of said transfer belts of said transfer belt plurality, and synchronizing the advance of each so advancing one of said transfer belts with the advance of each said so photoeye-location determined succeeding target food advancing on said conveyor belt until said food material is transferred from said advancing transfer belt to said succeeding target food;    
       
         whereby food material so received on each said transfer belt is so delivered to each succeeding one of said plurality of target foods so advancing on said conveyor belt. 
       
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein each one of said pluralities of hoppers, of distributing blades, of mask members, and of transfer belts, respectively, comprises two members.