Apparatus for applying ingredients

An apparatus for applying ingredients to an edible product, comprising a conveyor band, means for step-wise advancing said conveyor band, at least one work station arranged along the conveyor band for the application of at least one type of ingredient to the edible product, a carriage, means mounting the carriage to be movable transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor band, means for displacing the carriage transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor band between a first terminal position and a second terminal position, a receiver container for the ingredient, said receiver container being provided with a discharge chute, said carriage when located in its first terminal position being disposed above the conveyor band and when in its second terminal position being located adjacent the conveyor band and above said discharge chute of the receiving container, said carriage being provided with a plurality of individual suction heads which engage with the discharge chute in the second terminal position of the carriage, each suction head comprises a head portion equipped with substantially parallel bores, means defining a vacuum compartment flow communicating with said substantially parallel bores, a piston displaceable in the carriage provided substantially coaxially with respect to each head portion, said piston having a leading end provided with pins which engage into said bores when the piston assumes a lower terminal position for closing said bores, said piston being movable into an upper terminal position where said bores are freed.