Abstract: Methods for separating AAV empty capsids from mixtures of AAV vector particles and AAV empty capsids are described. The methods use column chromatography techniques and provide for commercially viable levels of recombinant AAV virions.

Abstract: A two-step chromatography purification scheme is described which selectively captures and isolates the genome-containing rAAV vector particles from the clarified, concentrated supernatant of a rAAV production cell culture. The process utilizes an affinity capture method performed at a high salt concentration followed by an anion exchange resin method performed at high pH to provide rAAV vector particles which are substantially free of rAAV intermediates.

Abstract: A system for forming a product. The system includes a hopper with a rotating feeder; a mold drum with cavities; and a feed pump with a moving member. The feed pump is configured to pump food mass from the hopper into the cavities. The system has means configured to determine: a position and a motion of the mold drum relative to a frame of the system; a position and a motion of the moving member of the feed pump relative to a housing of the feed pump; and a position and a motion of the rotating feeder relative to the hopper to synchronize the motion of the mold drum and the motion of the moving member of the feed pump and to synchronize the motion of the rotating feeder with the motion of the moving member of the feed pump. The system has at least two pressure sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meal mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mold cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mold cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mold a molded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the molded three-dimensional product from the mold cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the molded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.

Abstract: A multi stage auger system having a hopper with a first diameter opening tapering to a second smaller diameter opening, coupled to an auger tube at the second smaller diameter opening. An auger entry spiral with generally helical shape and a sweep arm coupled thereto, the spiral and the sweep arm skimming inside the product hopper to entrain the semi-solid materials from the hopper wall and, through the shape of the spiral, moving materials through the hopper from the first opening towards the second smaller opening. During this entrainment and movement by the spiral and sweep arm a space is left between the spiral and the sweep arm to remove air and voids from the semi-solid material through the movement. The auger has a first coarse pitch providing further removal of air/void spaces and a second finer pitch providing further movement under higher pressures near an exit of the auger.

Abstract: A dough depositing machine adapted for use in the manufacture of non-traditional baked goods and methods related thereto. Non-traditional dough (e.g., gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegetarian, or vegan dough) may have properties that are more difficult to accommodate during manufacturing than the properties of traditional dough. Accordingly, various components of the dough depositing machine may be adapted to operate with non-traditional dough. For example, at least one of a dough delivery mechanism, a forming portion, a cutting assembly and a controller of the dough depositing machine may be adapted for use with non-traditional dough. These components of a dough depositing mechanism may be provided as originally manufactured equipment or may be retrofit to an existing dough depositing machine designed for use with traditional dough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for forming a product from a food mass, the system comprising a mould member, e.g. a mould drum with an axis of rotation and a feed pump.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meat mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mould cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mould cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mould a moulded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the moulded three-dimensional product from the mould cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the moulded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for volume division of bread-making, bakery, and pastry dough and the like, contained in a hopper. The method includes allowing the dough to flow by gravity into a chamber capable of measuring an amount of dough to be divided and extending beneath an opening located at the base of the hopper. The chamber is at least partly closed. The volume division of the dough into dough pieces of the amount of dough contained in the chamber is started. The divided dough pieces from the chamber are removed to be set on a discharge carrier. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: Dosing machine for controlled dosage of pasty products, of the type with an agitator associated with a feed that includes an auger extension forming a compression feed chamber including a distributor with a plurality of distribution holes, a dosing device with on a fixed plate a corresponding first plurality of holes coinciding with the distribution holes and a corresponding second plurality of holes, parallel to the first and moved to one side on the plate, above the fixed plate a mobile dosing structure is installed that has an alternating drawer movement on the fixed plate with a reciprocal movement device for moving the dosing structure from a position above the distribution holes to a position above the second plurality of holes moved to the side of the auger and vice-versa, the dosing structure includes corresponding dosage chambers associated with the control dosing volume and density.

Abstract: A dough divider comprises a dough receiving hopper, a pressurizing chamber positioned beneath the hopper, a manifold positioned beneath the pressurizing chamber, a plurality of cut off heads positioned beneath the manifold, and a cut off knife assembly positioned beneath the cut off heads. At least one auger is positioned within the hopper for forcing dough received therein into the pressurizing chamber. Pressure applied to the dough within the pressurizing chamber releases CO2 therefrom. The manifold provides uniform distribution of the dough to all of the cut off heads. The cut off heads form the dough into a plurality of dough streams comprising individually regulated diameters. The cut off knife assembly severs the dough streams into equal length dough balls thereby producing dough balls that are substantially identical in weight.

Abstract: Methods for separating AAV empty capsids from mixtures of AAV vector particles and AAV empty capsids are described. The methods use column chromatography techniques and provide for commercially viable levels of recombinant AAV virions.

Abstract: A dough dividing apparatus for dividing dough into substantially equal portions. The dough dividing apparatus includes a bin portion for receiving dough in an interior space of the bin portion. A cylinder is coupled to the bin portion whereby a lumen of the cylinder is in fluid communication with the interior space of the bin portion. A piston assembly is slidably positioned in the lumen of the cylinder. The piston assembly is for drawing dough into the cylinder and extruding dough from the cylinder when the piston assembly is slid in the cylinder. A dividing assembly is coupled to the cylinder for receiving and dividing dough extruded from the cylinder. A driving assembly is operationally coupled to the piston assembly and the dividing assembly for actuating the piston assembly and the dividing assembly.

Abstract: A preferred method of the present invention includes the steps of: (1) providing a mass of dough; (2) providing a length of dough delivery conduit; (3) detaching a first portion of dough from the mass of dough; (4) delivering the first portion of dough into the dough delivery conduit; (5) detaching a second portion of dough from the mass of dough; (6) delivering the second portion of dough into the dough delivery conduit to form a stream of dough within the dough delivery conduit; (7) passing the stream of dough toward a dough piercing sharp for dividing the stream of dough, and; (8) forming the stream of dough into a plurality of dough pieces. Preferably, the step of delivering the portions of dough comprises utilizing a piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining dough blocks to form a continuous dough sheet. The dough blocks are cut from a dough mass and drop into a space between first and second groups of rollers. The first and second groups of rollers include horizontally-paired rollers arranged in tiers and forming a substantially V-shaped space for receiving the dough blocks, with the uppermost pair of rollers being separated by a first horizontal gap which is wider than a second horizontal gap separating the lowermost pair of rollers. The first group of rollers are rotated in a direction (e.g., clockwise) which is opposite to that of the second group of rollers. In addition, the first group of rollers is alternately moved toward and away from the second group of rollers, thereby applying vibrations to the dough blocks.

Abstract: A dough sheeting system comprising a cutter assembly for pulling and cutting elongated chunks of dough from a hopper containing dough is disclosed. A receiving surface is disposed beneath the cutter assembly. A motor advances the receiving surface in a direction of dough feed. A calendar assembly for receives dough output by the receiving surface and outputs a sheet of dough. A level sensor for monitoring the height of accumulated dough at the input of the calendar assembly and for producing a signal when the input exceeds a predetermined level. The motor is responsive to the signal from the level sensor to stop advancing the receiving surface when the level exceeds the predetermined level and is responsive to the signal when the height is reduced.

Abstract: An improved hopper structure is described for sheeting heads which use rollers to process dough into thin sheets. Inserts which are attached to the hopper endwalls are equipped with a tongue-in-groove structure to prevent dough from escaping. The edges of the hopper inserts are contoured to mate with the roller surfaces and bear a tongue seated in a circumferential groove in the roller. This arrangement ensures that the hopper endwall does not change position and does not deform.

Abstract: A dough divider is provided having a piston and cylinder mechanism for repeatedly pressing dough into a measuring cup assembly. Dough is drawn from a hopper into the cylinder through a tube. A lubrication port is disposed in the tube, and a channel extends from the port to the cylinder. The port and channel arrangement provide a self-cleaning lubricating arrangement which keeps the dough from sticking.

Abstract: A quantitative flour feeding unit of a noodle making machine which can easily be exchanged with another one for making a different kind of noodle using a different kind of flour including a support platform on which a hopper and a rotational driving mechanism are mounted to quantitatively feeding the flour stored in the hopper to a flour kneading unit. The support platform is removably mounted on a housing of the noodle making machine by a position determining unit to enable the exchange with the position determining unit including a V-shaped groove formed at one corner of the support platform and a stationary knob disposed on the support platform at another diametrically located platform corner. The noodle making machine has a unit for transmitting the power generated by a motor to the rotational driving mechanism and a unit for setting and indicating what kind of flour is being used at present.

Abstract: An apparatus for portioning dough has a filler hopper (31) for the dough in which hopper a pre-portioning tool (51) in form of two star rollers (32) is disposed which rotate in inverse direction and are driven by a drive device if the amount of dough in a chamber (30) below decreases a predetermined value. From this chamber the dough (30) is pressed by a pusher device (25) in receiving openings (4) on the periphery of a step-wisely rotated drum (2). The volume of dough in the chamber (30) is controlled by a capacitive sensor (35) embedded into the wall (36) of the filler hopper (31) so that this sensor (35) does not interfere with the stream of the dough.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a continuous belt-like sheet of bread dough. The apparatus includes a dough hopper, vertical conveyors mounted on the facing side walls of the hopper, a dough outlet provided at the bottom of the hopper, and a pair of discharging rolls constituting part of the dough outlet, facing each other, and which are rotated so as to downwardly pass the bread dough passing therebetween. The width of the outlet and the peripheral speed of the discharging rolls are controllable so that a high-quality sheet of bread dough is continuously produced, while the gel structure of the dough is maintained uninjured.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing a mass of dough into a plurality of individual streams by means of a manifold and fine tuning the flow rate of the individual streams by weir type diaphragm valves so the streams have identical flow rates. Each of the individual streams of dough are simultaneously cut into identical dough pieces by a rotating driver by a four-bar link mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively providing food material, in particular, a low fluid food material is provided. In the apparatus, the material is propelled by propelling means into a space at the bottom of the hopper. In this space, the density of the material is made uniform. The material is then introduced into a chamber. A piston with a receding underside reciprocates in the chamber, and presses the material in the passage of the chamber into a mold opening, and shapes it into a desired form. By ejecting the material from the opening, the same amount of the shaped material is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a uniform amount of a loose food material comprising a hopper, a rotating drum and a pushing mechanism. In the apparatus, the material is introduced in pockets on the periphery of the drum and then compressed by a piston mechanism into a solid or cohesive form by pushing it, together with an additional amount of the material, against the piston provided in each of the pockets. Then the material, as shaped into a form, is discharged from the pocket onto a dough sheet. The material is compressed to a high density and a uniform shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantitatively extruding food material is provided. In this apparatus the material is introduced into the space formed between the periphery of a drum and the side wall of a housing. The drum has an inner chamber between its inner wall and the periphery of a cam. A pair of blades is inserted into slits formed on the drum form a compartment in the outside of the drum and a compartment in the inner chamber.Since the dimensions of the space in the compartment outside of the drum decrease towards the exit port, while the space of the inner chamber increases, the pressure in the space becomes much higher than that of the inner chamber. Thus the air in the material is drawn out of the outer compartment into the inner chamber via a path formed between the recess on the trailing surface of the blade and the wall of the slit. As a result material of a uniform quantity and density, and that has no air entrainment, is extruded from the exit port.

Abstract: A machine for automatically measuring dough portions including cylindrical body (2) topped by a vertical tank (1), which hollow body (2) has its rear end closed by a circular piece (5) comprising a center hole (6) for the passage of a hollow shaft (8) which carries within the body (2) a narrow piston (7) and further forward an ejecting piston (9). The outer portion of the shaft (8) is surrounded by a coil spring (26) held back by a retainer (25), which carries a plate (27), which supports a bar (23), which connects a jack (18) positioned at the front of the machine, which jack drives the piston (15). One of the characteristics of the machine resides in that compressed air is set to the end (31) of the shaft (8), which air travels in the cavity (11) and exists through the head of the piston (9) to detach the dough portion.

Abstract: A positive pressure dough divider comprising a hopper for dough, and a pair of rotatable sheeting rolls which carry the dough from said hopper into a transfer passage leading to a volumetric measuring chamber inside a rotating body which is adapted to stop or rotate for periods at reduced speed, such that, while the measuring chamber is being charged with dough from the said rolls, a maximum possible charging time is provided, and to move at greater speeds at other times to provide minimum possible delay between charging operations. The rolls are of sufficiently large diameter, and rotate in opposite directions at such a speed, as to produce or maintain a dough of good gas retaining properties while providing a positive pressure rise along the direction of flow in the passage between the rolls sufficient to charge the measuring chamber or chambers.

Abstract: A machine for producing small dumplings having the shape of helically-grooved spindles, so-called "troffiette", comprising a feeding unit designed to produce roundish raw dumplings from a pre-worked dough and to feed them sequentially to a co-operating forming unit which, first, turns them into plain dough-spindles and, then, into "troffiette" proper, characterized in that said feeding unit comprises a dough-receiving hopper including therein a screw-feeder designed to progressively advance said dough to at least one extruder funnel communicating with the body of said hopper and adapted to expel said dough in the shape of a continuous rod which is cut into pieces by a rotary cutter member arranged at the outlet of said extruder funnel, said pieces constituting the raw dumplings which are sequentially fed through a suitable chute to a conveyor belt exactly at the inlet of the forming tunnel.

Abstract: A variable piston arrangement is provided which is especially adapted for use in roll and bread dividing and shaping machines and includes one or more separate pistons each selectively and operably arranged in a single piston-housing used to size and shape baking dough to predetermined specifications. The piston-housing itself is disposed in a separate housing and as such may function as a separate piston in the following manner. Each of the separate pistons and piston-housing are arranged and controlled so that at least partial removal or withdrawal of one or more of the separate pistons from the piston-housing or withdrawal of the piston-housing from the separate housing will produce a predetermined vacated area or space which conforms to the size and shape of the rolls or bread to be baked.

Abstract: A positive pressure dough divider comprising a hopper (14) for dough, and a pair of rotatable sheeting rolls (15) which carry the dough from said hopper (14) into a transfer passage (16) leading to a volumetric measuring chamber (28) inside a rotating body (27) which is adapted to stop or rotate for periods at reduced speed, such that, while the measuring chamber (28) is being charged with dough from the said rolls (15), a maximum possible charging time is provided, and to move at greater speeds at other times to provide minimum possible delay between charging operations. The rolls (15) are of sufficiently large diameter, and rotate in opposite directions at such a speed, as to produce or maintain a dough of good gas retaining properties while providing a positive pressure rise along the direction of flow in the passage between the rolls sufficient to charge the measuring chamber or chambers.

Abstract: A device and a method for the manufacture and processing of biscuit mixture shapes, including pressing pick up devices by means of a drive with their forming chambers against the floor of a trough filled with biscuit mixture, and while there, rotating them by means of a drive by 360.degree., while a drive turns the trough somewhat further. Subsequently the pick up devices are raised and placed by a drive in a position above a band conveyor with baking sheets. By means of a drive the ejectors are then moved into the forming chambers and the formed biscuits are deposited by stripping device onto the baking sheet. The baking sheet is fitted with recesses of specific design. The band conveyor transports the formed biscuits into a plant comprising an oven, a cooling device, a second heating device, a removal device and stacking chambers for baking sheets. The removal device is largely identical with the mixture pick up device. The trough receives a supply of mixture which is controlled by a level indicator.

Abstract: A volumetric metering apparatus which provides a continuous succession of accurately metered deposits of baking dough or other flowable media. Media is fed into a cavity in the apparatus. The cavity is in fluid communication with an outlet. A valve is disposed in the cavity so as to define first and second chambers therein. The valve is movable between a first position where the first chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet and a second position where the second chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet. A piston device disposed in the cavity and operatively associated with the valve alternatingly discharges media from each chamber when the chamber is in communication with the discharge orifice.

Abstract: Marbleized cookie dough pieces are formed by independently feeding different color doughs into a common extrusion die, in which a rotating impeller is located. The impeller lards portions of each dough into the flow of the other to produce a spiral pattern in the extrudate which is sliced to produce spirally marbleized dough pieces.

Abstract: Means for enhancing the operation of a make-up machine with a rotating drum type scaling means for stiff dough, comprising hopper means and means operatively associated with the hopper means for simultaneously mildly degassing and positively feeding dough to the scaling means.

Abstract: A machine for moulding mouldable products, preferably foodstuff masses. A piston is slidable in a piston passage of a housing and a moulding tool defining a moulding cavity is slidable in a moulding tool passage of the housing. The piston and moulding tool are coupled to a common rotary drive disc for reciprocation such that when the moulding tool is in a first position, the piston pumps the mouldable product into the moulding cavity, compacting the product to a desired consistency, and when the moulding tool is in a second position, the mouldable product compacted in the moulding cavity is discharged from the machine.

Abstract: Improvements in molding apparatus and method for forming a plurality of patties from a mass of agglomerable edible material such as, chopped meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or the like. The molding apparatus includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of mold cavities positioned therein with a piston reciprocably mounted in each cavity. Upward piston reciprocation forms a mold in the lower portion of the cavity. An improved food-feeding mechanism having an enlarged end opening in communication with the cavity pushes the edible material into the mold over a wide portion of the turret rotation. The piston reciprocates upwardly while in communication with said food-feeding mechanism to draw food material into the mold and avoid air pockets in same. As the turret rotates and the piston reciprocates downwardly to expell the patty, an improved continuous wire band patty cut-off mechanism cleanly separates the patty from the piston to which it typically sticks, without deforming the patty.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the manufacture of disc-like products from semi-solid foodstuffs comprises a hopper, a compression chamber (8) communicating with the hopper, a pusher (21) slidable along an associated side wall (2) within the hopper for advancing foodstuff from the hopper into the compression chamber (8), and a plate (19) having at least one aperture (18) for receiving foodstuff from the compression chamber (8) and for forming said foodstuff into disc-like products, the side wall (2) of the hopper being inclined relative to the plate (19) and lying in the same plane as a side wall (7) of the compression chamber.

Abstract: A machine for extruding tamale filling having a small tank suitable for meat or bean filling and a larger tank specifically designed for masa dough. Each of the tanks are enclosed containers into which is fitted a floating piston above the ingredients. Air pressure is admitted to each tank through a pressure gauge regulator system to move the pistons down, extruding the ingredients of the tanks through a meat and masa conduit into an encasing nozzle. The work product of the machine is a meat or bean filler encased in masa dough which is wrapped in corn shucks or other suitable wrapping material to form the tamale.

Abstract: Cookie dough in a dough hopper is extruded through a die by means of a pair of dough rolls, and the extruded dough is separated into a plurality of cookie-shaped deposits employing a cutoff wire reciprocated beneath the die. After each movement of the cutoff wire, a conveyor carrying a tray moves a short distance for spacing the dough deposits on the tray. The dough rolls are operated independently from the cutoff wire and conveyor so that a variable quantity of dough can be extruded for each deposit, and a time delay is provided for operation of the cutoff wire such that a sufficient quantity of dough is extruded before initial severing of the dough.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling dough and other viscous materials comprises a support having a suction tube which opens into a container for the viscous mass, e.g. dough to be portioned for use in a bakery. A movable member, e.g. a slide or turntable, is disposed on the support and is shiftable from a position in which its cylinder communicates with the duct and into a position remote from the duct in which the cylinder is adapted to deposit the viscous material. The cylinder is provided with a piston which draws a portion of the material from the duct into the cylinder, this portion being carried along with the cylinder to its remote location in which operation of the piston is reversed to dispense the portion of the material.