Portable, compact, food seasoning replenishment system

Abstract

A portable seasonings replenishment system delivers, in a dust free manner, food seasonings in powder-like state from a replenishment seasonings supply residing in a hermetically sealable chamber. Portions of the supply are ablated from the main body of seasonings through impingement of air thereon emanating from a foraminous member supporting the seasoning supply. As needed, the ablated seasoning portions are dispensed through a conduit to a reception location at a food processing seasoning station.

1 . Portable apparatus for distribution in a fluidized stream powder like substances such as food seasonings, comprising:
 a canister serving to receive a supply of such substances,   rollable means arranged on a lower portion of said canister serving to permit rolling movement of the canister from station to station along a food processing deck,   the canister being equipped with a reception port and a discharge port for passage there through of the powder like substances at a food processing station;   an air plenum chamber formed in one portion of said canister and equipped to receive and hold a volume of pressurized air;   a foraminous, inclined member within said canister serving to define the upper portions of said air plenum chamber and serving to support a supply of seasoning powder;   pressurized air inlet supply means in communication with said air plenum chamber permitting air delivery into said chamber and thence through said foraminous member to ablade portions of the seasoning powder to transmute into a fluidize state;   said discharge port communicating with said foraminous member for moving the powder from the apparatus in a dust-free manner.   
     
     
         2 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said foraminous, inclined member is a cone and wherein spaced apart apertures extend through the cone walls and are arrayed in a pattern along a plurality of circumferential rows. 
     
     
         3 . The portable apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the apertures are formed with diameters in the range of about 0.01 inches (0.025 mm) to 0.05 inches (1.27 mm). 
     
     
         4 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the portion of said canister having the powder reception port is hermetically sealable serving to support an air pressure head above the powder bulk supply. 
     
     
         5 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the reception port on said canister comprises a door arranged in the top wall of said canister and configured therewith to establish a sealed closed, substantially air tight condition. 
     
     
         6 . The portable apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said foraminous cone member extends downwardly into said air plenum and at its upper perimeter is joined in a dust tight manner with the air plenum and canister.