Apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product

Claim 1

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled rate, comprising a tube having a plurality of openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; and an auger disposed within said tube to transport said ingredient along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, wherein said auger includes a central body having a relatively large diameter portion and a relatively small diameter portion, a land extending around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively small cross-sectional area along said small diameter portion of said central body.

Claim 2

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled rate, comprising a tube having a plurality of openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; and an auger disposed within said tube to transport said ingredient along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, wherein said auger includes a central body having a relatively large diameter portion and a relatively small diameter portion, a land extending around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively small cross-sectional area along said small diameter portion of said central body.

Claim 3

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled variable rate, comprising a hopper for holding a supply of said ingredient to be distributed; a cylindrical tube extending from said hopper and communicating with the interior thereof, said tube having one or more openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; an auger disposed within said tube and said hopper to transport said ingredient from said hopper along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, said auger including a central body having a relatively large diameter portion extending into said hopper and a relatively small diameter portion disposed within said tube and further comprising a land extending around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively large diameter portion along said small diameter portion of said central body; and drive means for rotating said auger at a variable and adjustable speed to cause said ingredient to move longitudinally along said tube at a selected rate.

Claim 4

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled variable rate, comprising a hopper for holding a supply of said ingredient to be distributed; a cylindrical tube extending from said hopper and communicating with the interior thereof, said tube having one or more openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; an auger disposed within said tube and said hopper to transport said ingredient from said hopper along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, said auger including a central body having a relatively large diameter portion extending into said hopper and a relatively small diameter portion disposed within said tube and further comprising a land extending around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively large diameter portion along said small diameter portion of said central body; and drive means for rotating said auger at a variable and adjustable speed to cause said ingredient to move longitudinally along said tube at a selected rate.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim I, 2 or 3, further comprising means for varying the effective size of said openings.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim l, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the openings in said tube are non-circular, each having a narrow end.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim I, 2, 3 or 4, wherein at least some of said openings in said tube are non-circular, each having a narrow end pointed in a circumferential direction.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the means for varying the effective size of said openings may comprise a rotatable sleeve having one or more apertures therein, said sleeve being disposed coaxially with respect to said tube and surrounding said tube.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to any one of claims 7, 8 or 9, further comprising means for locking said tube and said sleeve in selected rotational positions, whereby the effective size and the angular positions of said openings are adjustable.

Claim 17

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled variable rate, comprising a hopper for holding a supply of said ingredient to be distributed; a rotatable cylindrical tube extending from said hopper and communicating with the interior thereof, said tube having a plurality of circumferentially pointed, non-circular openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; a rotatable sleeve surrounding said tube having apertures therein, said apertures being alignable with said openings; means for locking said tube and said sleeve in selected rotational positions, whereby the effective size and the angular positions of said openings are adjustable; an auger disposed within said tube and said hopper to transport said ingredient along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, said auger including a central body having a relatively large diameter portion extending into said hopper and a relatively small diameter portion disposed within said tube, said auger further comprising a land extending along and around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively large cross-sectional area along said small diameter portion of said central body; a cylindrical chamber extending from said hopper away from said tube and in alignment therewith, said auger extending into said chamber; a seal diposed within said chamber and surrounding said auger at an end thereof farthest from said tube, whereby said auger tends to move said ingredient away from said seal; a shield disposed within said hopper, spaced from said tube and above said auger; and drive means for rotating said auger at a variable and adjustable speed to cause said ingredient to move longitudinally along said tube at a selected rate.

Claim 18

An apparatus for uniformly distributing a powdered or granular food product ingredient at a controlled variable rate, comprising a hopper for holding a supply of said ingredient to be distributed; a rotatable cylindrical tube extending from said hopper and communicating with the interior thereof, said tube having a plurality of circumferentially pointed, non-circular openings through which said ingredient can pass arranged longitudinally therealong; a rotatable sleeve surrounding said tube having apertures therein, said apertures being alignable with said openings; means for locking said tube and said sleeve in selected rotational positions, whereby the effective size and the angular positions of said openings are adjustable; an auger disposed within said tube and said hopper to transport said ingredient along said tube for distribution through said openings at a substantially uniform rate, said auger including a central body having a relatively large diameter portion extending into said hopper and a relatively small diameter portion disposed within said tube, said auger further comprising a land extending along and around said central body and defining a generally helical flute to serve as an ingredient flow path, said flute having a relatively small cross-sectional area along said large diameter portion of said central body and a relatively large cross-sectional area along said small diameter portion of said central body; a cylindrical chamber extending from said hopper away from said tube and in alignment therewith, said auger extending into said chamber; a seal diposed within said chamber and surrounding said auger at an end thereof farthest from said tube, whereby said auger tends to move said ingredient away from said seal; a shield disposed within said hopper, spaced from said tube and above said auger; and drive means for rotating said auger at a variable and adjustable speed to cause said ingredient to move longitudinally along said tube at a selected rate.