Peanut applicator and process of making a confectionery product
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying discrete articles, such as peanuts, raisins or the like, to an outer surface of a moving continuous rope of a comestible material, comprising:
- (a) a hollow rotatable cylinder having a horizontal axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is provided with a groove, said groove being adapted to closely abut surfaces of the continuously moving rope;
(b) air passages extending from the inner surface of the cylinder to the outer surface within the groove;
(c) means for rotating the cylinder;
(d) means for applying vacuum to the inner surface of the cylinder to retain the articles on the air passages within the groove as the cylinder passes by a hopper for supplying the articles to the cylinder;
(e) means for interrupting the vacuum on the articles as the cylinder delivers the discrete articles to the rope of comestible material.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A peanut applicator has a rotating cylindrical member with air passages therein. A vacuum pump draws air from an interior portion of the cylindrical member, air being drawn in through a plurality of air passages located between an inner surface of the cylindrical member and an outer surface having a groove therein.
The groove has a generally semi-circular cross sectional shape.
An extrudate rope passing beneath the cylindrical member in proximity to the groove will cause adhesion to articles which were retained by the vacuum of the air passageways in the groove.
Upstanding walls are disposed in a fixed plate, the plate having an aperture therethrough communicating with the interior of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member being generally cup-shaped.
The stationary member has two air passages therethrough for introduction of air into communicating air passageways in each of the upstanding walls;
whereby introduction of air into the upstanding walls assists removal by applying air pressure to individual peanuts through said air passages so they will adhere to the extrudate rope.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying discrete articles, such as peanuts, raisins or the like, to an outer surface of a moving continuous rope of a comestible material, comprising:
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(a) a hollow rotatable cylinder having a horizontal axis, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is provided with a groove, said groove being adapted to closely abut surfaces of the continuously moving rope; (b) air passages extending from the inner surface of the cylinder to the outer surface within the groove; (c) means for rotating the cylinder; (d) means for applying vacuum to the inner surface of the cylinder to retain the articles on the air passages within the groove as the cylinder passes by a hopper for supplying the articles to the cylinder; (e) means for interrupting the vacuum on the articles as the cylinder delivers the discrete articles to the rope of comestible material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification