System and process for applying seasoning to a food item

摘要

Systems and methods for applying seasoning or flavoring to food items or products, for example, taco shells, are provided. A seasoning system can include a seasoning hopper or other storage container, a scarf plate, a scalping screen, a conveyor system, and a collection bin. The scalping screen can help reduce clumps in seasoning that falls onto the food items to allow for more even and consistent seasoning distribution. The conveyor system can include a mechanism for tilting or pivoting the food items to allow for application of seasoning to multiple surfaces of the food item as the food items are conveyed under the seasoning delivery system. A method for applying seasoning to food items can include adjusting process parameters such as presentation angle of the food items, throughput, seasoning flow rate, etc. to adapt to varying conditions such as temperature, humidity, and seasoning coverage.

主权项

1. A scalping screen configured to be attached to and receive seasoning from a distal end of a scarf plate, the scalping screen comprising:
a screened base; two side walls attached to the screened base; and a rear wall attached to the side walls and defining a gap between a bottom of the rear wall and a top surface of the screened base, the scalping screen having an open front edge along a side of the scalping screen opposite the rear wall; wherein the scalping screen is configured to deliver a curtain of seasoning therethrough onto one or more food items being conveyed under the scalping screen and reduce clumps in seasoning falling through the scalping screen, and wherein the gap allows seasoning to fall off of both the front edge and a rear edge of the scalping screen to inhibit clogging in of the scalping screen.