Patents Assigned to J.C. Ford Company
  • Patent number: 9468217
    Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine can adjust a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced “masa” (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The sheeting machine can include a pinch point gap adjustment device which guides at least one of the rollers through an arcuate path to thereby adjust a magnitude of the pinch point gap. The controller can direct one or more actuators to change the position of the roller along the archive path to thereby change the distance between the two sheeting rollers as desired to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Publication number: 20150110938
    Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine can adjust a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced “masa” (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The sheeting machine can include a pinch point gap adjustment device which guides at least one of the rollers through an arcuate path to thereby adjust a magnitude of the pinch point gap. The controller can direct one or more actuators to change the position of the roller along the archive path to thereby change the distance between the two sheeting rollers as desired to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: J.C. FORD COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Patent number: 8770960
    Abstract: A reciprocating press is configured to press articles while moving in synchronicity with a conveyor belt carrying the articles. The press is driven through a rack and pinion system. The press can be used for pressing any type of article, including, but without limitation, pieces of dough for forming tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott Mattias, John Colwell
  • Patent number: 8740602
    Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine can adjust a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced “masa” (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The sheeting machine can include a pinch point gap adjustment device which guides at least one of the rollers through an arcuate path to thereby adjust a magnitude of the pinch point gap. The controller can direct one or more actuators to change the position of the roller along the archive path to thereby change the distance between the two sheeting rollers as desired to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Patent number: 8347480
    Abstract: A comestible product sheeter is configured to provide enhanced access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. The one or more frame members of the roller assembly are configured to support the rollers at different vertical locations. Enhanced access is provided to both the rear and front rollers of the roller assembly by supporting one of the rollers in a cantilever configuration. The roller assembly may also be provided with a pivotally mounted cutting roller support arm to further improve access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Publication number: 20120225151
    Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine can adjust a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced “masa” (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The sheeting machine can include a pinch point gap adjustment device which guides at least one of the rollers through an arcuate path to thereby adjust a magnitude of the pinch point gap. The controller can direct one or more actuators to change the position of the roller along the archive path to thereby change the distance between the two sheeting rollers as desired to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: J.C. FORD COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Publication number: 20110197415
    Abstract: A comestible product sheeter is configured to provide enhanced access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. The one or more frame members of the roller assembly are configured to support the rollers at different vertical locations. Enhanced access is provided to both the rear and front rollers of the roller assembly by supporting one of the rollers in a cantilever configuration. The roller assembly may also be provided with a pivotally mounted cutting roller support arm to further improve access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Patent number: 7887314
    Abstract: A comestible product sheeter is configured to provide enhanced access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. The one or more frame members of the roller assembly are configured to support the rollers at different vertical locations. Enhanced access is provided to both the rear and front rollers of the roller assembly by supporting one of the rollers in a cantilever configuration. The roller assembly may also be provided with a pivotally mounted cutting roller support arm to further improve access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz
  • Publication number: 20080102152
    Abstract: A reciprocating press is configured to press articles while moving in synchronicity with a conveyor belt carrying the articles. The press is driven through a rack and pinion system. The press can be used for pressing any type of article, including, but without limitation, pieces of dough for forming tortillas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott Mattias, John Colwell
  • Patent number: 5470599
    Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine automatically adjusts a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced "masa" (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The control system includes a pair of sensors, a controller, and a pair of actuators. The sensors continuously monitor the distance to the surface of a produced masa sheet. The controller derives from the sensor output signal a measurement of the thickness of the produced masa sheet, and compares this measurement to a preset thickness. The controller then directs one or more of the actuators to change the distance between the two sheeting rollers of the tortilla sheeting machine as necessary to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Ruhe