Patent ID: 7736681

Claim:
A method of continuously and repeatably applying solid edible particulates to an exposed surface of a plurality of edible substrates which comprises: providing a metered amount of solid edible particulates by: providing at least one aperture in a plate for measuring a dose of solid edible particulates, wherein the aperture has a predefined volume, an open top and bottom; and is positioned upon a support plate; filling a dose of solid edible particulates into each aperture from the top; and releasing the metered amount(s) out of the bottom of the aperture(s); providing a directed stream of air to receive and transport the metered amount of solid edible particulates in a path that terminates in a predetermined pattern onto the exposed surface of the edible substrates; and transporting the metered particulates with a velocity sufficient to cut through air currents that exist in the path of transport adjacent to each substrate, but insufficient to fully penetrate the exposed surface of each substrate, so that a substantial amount of the metered particulates are deposited in the predetermined pattern on the exposed surface of the substrate, wherein each substrate receives the same metered amount of particulates from the air stream, each substrate is conveyed in a direction at least substantially transverse to the transport path of the particulates and the directed stream of air is provided by a venturi vacuum system.