Apparatus and method for applying solid edible particulates to an edible substrate

An apparatus for applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of an edible substrate comprising:

• a particulate supply comprising a plurality of solid edible particulates;
• a metered dosing system adapted and configured to receive a predetermined dose of the particulates from the supply;
• a conduit through which the dosed particulates are delivered from the dosing system to the edible substrate;
• an applicator nozzle associated with the conduit that is adapted and configured to receive and direct the measured particulates from the conduit onto the exposed surface of the substrate;
• a vacuum system operatively associated with the dosing system and the conduit that supplies a directed stream of air to transfer the pre-measured particulates from the dosing system through the conduit and the nozzle at a velocity sufficient to eject the particulates therefrom so as to cut through air currents between the nozzle and substrate, but that is insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of the substrate, to deposit and adhere a substantial amount of the dosed particulates in a desired pattern onto the exposed surface of the substrate;
• and
• a conveyor for passing a plurality of the substrates beneath the nozzle, wherein the nozzle and vacuum system are configured to direct the particulates in a plurality of pulses selectively onto each substrate which passes below the nozzle.

An apparatus for applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of an edible substrate comprising:

• a particulate supply comprising a plurality of solid edible particulates;
• a metered dosing system adapted and configured to receive a predetermined dose of the particulates from the supply;
• a conduit through which the dosed particulates are delivered from the dosing system to the edible substrate;
• an applicator nozzle associated with the conduit that is adapted and configured to receive and direct the measured particulates from the conduit onto the exposed surface of the substrate;
• and
• a vacuum system operatively associated with the dosing system and the conduit that supplies a directed stream of air to transfer the pre-measured particulates from the dosing system through the conduit and the nozzle at a velocity sufficient to eject the particulates therefrom so as to cut through air currents between the nozzle and substrate, but that is insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of the substrate to deposit and adhere a substantial amount of the dosed particulates in a desired pattern onto the exposed surface of the substrate,
• wherein the vacuum system includes a vacuum venturi system which applies a vacuum to generate a laminar air flow containing the metered amounts of solid edible particulates for transport in a path that terminates in a predetermined pattern onto the exposed surface of the edible substrates.

An apparatus for applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of an edible substrate comprising:

• a particulate supply comprising a plurality of solid edible particulates;
• a metered dosing system adapted and configured to receive a predetermined dose of the particulates from the supply, wherein the metered dosing system comprises at least one plate that includes a plurality of apertures configured to each create the same metered amount of particulates, and a support plate with the metered amounts of particulates released out of the bottom of the apertures by the relative movement of the plates;
• a conduit through which the dosed particulates are delivered from the dosing system to the edible substrate;
• an applicator nozzle associated with the conduit that is adapted and configured to receive and direct the measured particulates from the conduit onto the exposed surface of the substrate;
• and
• a vacuum system operatively associated with the dosing system and the conduit that supplies a directed stream of air to transfer the pre-measured particulates from the dosing system through the conduit and the nozzle at a velocity sufficient to eject the particulates therefrom so as to cut through air currents between the nozzle and substrate, but that is insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of the substrate, to deposit and adhere a substantial amount of the dosed particulates in a desired pattern onto the exposed surface of the substrate.