Abstract: A tilted roller system for preparing laminated products having different figures, including three-dimensional rolled figures, wherein said roller system comprises a conveyor band, a start roller band, a roller band and an unloading band.

Abstract: A compact motorized tortilla forming machine utilizing rollers for forming a mass of dough or masa into a flat circular configuration prior to cooking or baking that is of a compact size, having a 2?×2? footprint and can easily fit on and be supported on a countertop or table. The machine includes a roller assembly, a forwardly extending conveyor near its bottom end, a drive motor having a drive sprocket connected with an electrical power source through a relay coupled with a limit switch that provides overload protection, a cover member having an on-off switch, a start button, and an emergency stop button mounted thereon and connected in a circuit between the power source and the drive motor, and an exhaust fan mounted inside of the cover member and connected in a circuit between the power source and the drive motor. A top lid and a rear door are maintained normally closed by magnetic latches and limit switches and when opened, the limit switches prevent electrical current from flowing to the motor.

Abstract: A process for making a continuous web of a longitudinally corrugated fibrous material includes passing the web between a rigid cylinder having circumferential grooves that are flanked and shaped to define a substantially corrugated profile on substantially on the entire thickness of the web, and a presser which has an external layer made of an elastically compressible material and which is maintained adherent to the rigid cylinder so as to cause the continuous web to penetrate into the grooves and thus obtain the corrugations, At the same time, the continuous web is subjected to a reduction of the speed of the surface in contact with the presser with respect to the speed of the surface in contact with the rigid cylinder so as to have a longitudinally corrugated pattern on both surfaces and transverse ripples at least at the corrugated surface that was in contact with the rigid cylinder.

Abstract: A method and configuration for automated operation of a two-roll mill. Also provided is a method for continuous or semi-continuous operation of a two-roll mill.

Abstract: A dough stretcher comprising a drive shaft mounted to rotate on a vertical system axis and a mechanism for rotating the drive shaft at a speed in the range of between 40 RPM and 100 RPM. The bottom end of a lower platen shaft is attached to the drive shaft to extend upwardly an angle of from 1° to 4° from the system axis. The lower platen is mounted to the top end of the lower platen shaft so that it rotates perpendicularly about the lower platen shaft. An upper platen is mounted above the lower platen to reciprocate vertically to the lower platen. In operation, as the upper platen is lowered, it touches the dough on the lower platen. As the lower platen gyrates, the upper platen flattens the dough and pushes it outwardly toward the edge.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing semi-moist meatballs. An illustrative embodiment provides a method of manufacturing generally spherical pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a portioning device that divides said mix into smaller portions of roughly uniform volume, (b) placing said portions on a first belt of a first conveyor moving at a first speed in a longitudinal direction, (c) periodically pressing said portions with a second belt of a second conveyor, where said second belt operates in a plane at a height above, and substantially parallel to, said first belt, said second belt moving at a second speed in substantially the same longitudinal direction as said first belt, while also oscillating back and forth in a lateral direction that is at an angle to said longitudinal direction, such that said portions are transformed into generally spherical shapes.

Abstract: An earplug shaping device compresses a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes a first member and a second member which rotate with respect to each other. The outer surface of the first member and inner surface of the second member define a space that decreases in size as the first and second members rotate with respect to each other, thereby compressing the compressible earplug. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ a ratchet mechanism permitting substantially only one direction of rotation.

Abstract: Cast polyurethane parts for shoes or other items may be formed in an automated fashion. A dispensing mechanism may dispense a predetermined amount of a liquid phase polyurethane mixture onto a flat surface face of a mold. A dispersal mechanism may distribute the liquid phase polyurethane mixture over the flat surface face of the mold to fill at least one cavity in the form. A vacuum may be applied to remove air bubbles from the liquid phase polyurethane mixture. Excess liquid phase polyurethane mixture may be removed from the flat surface face of the mold using a flexible blade that contacts and moves across the flat surface face. One or more conveyance mechanism may transport molds through the desired stages of a system and/or method in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns an extrusion granulator for the granulation of plastic strands gripped by a pair of feed rollers and directed over a slideway in the direction of a cutting rotor with an opposing blade. A guided air stream directed onto the slideway, and deflected perpendicularly towards the cutting rotor by said slideway, impinges on the strands carried on the slideway with such a speed that the strands are held in a parallel orientation by the air stream.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming a substantially frozen edible product, comprising a mold strip comprising a substantially planar flight having a front edge, a rear edge, and right and left side edges, and a plurality of mold cups fixedly secured along at least a portion of the first planar flight, wherein the front and rear edges each comprise a lip, the lip having a chevron shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curl-shaping device for paperboard, including: a conveying part adapted to convey the paperboard; a compressing part adapted to compress the top surface of the paperboard; a curl-shaping part disposed at the side of the conveying part to form a curled portion along the lateral side of the paperboard; a natural cooling and shaping part formed at the front portion of the curling-shaping part to fix the curled portion again; and a paperboard lateral side guide disposed at the opposite side to the curling-shaping part to push the opposite lateral side to one lateral side of the paperboard where the curled portion is formed.

Abstract: A non-planar large-scale film extending apparatus is disclosed, which comprises: a transportation mechanism; and a pressing mechanism; wherein the transportation is used for clamping to two sides of a film and thus expanding the film while enabling the same to be transported and passing through the pressing mechanism following a specific path; and the pressing mechanism is configured with a non-planar pressing surface to be used for pressing upon the film and thus enabling the film being transported by the transportation mechanism to extend uniformly in a manner that the width of the film is increased while allowing the pores on the film to be distributed evenly, and thereby, creating a microporous film with large filtering area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dough roller device (2) comprising a first roller pair unit (21) and a second roller pair unit (22) situated below the first roller pair unit (21), wherein the relative position of the first and second roller pair units is adjustable. Preferably the rollers (31,32) of the first roller pair unit (21) define a passage for dough between said rollers, and wherein the relative position is adjustable for placing one of the rollers (33, 34) of the second roller pair unit (22) more or less below the passage. The invention further relates to as assembly for dough treatment, comprising a dough roller device (2) as disclosed above and a supply device for supplying dough, wherein the supply device comprises a conveyor (12) extending to an upper side of the dough roller device (2). The belt onto which the dough is deposited has flour dusted onto it before the dough is laid on the belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for forming moulded bodies from a mouldable mass comprising a matrix grid (19) in which at least one receiving chamber (21) is accommodated, and at least one tool (17, 18) with which the mouldable mass can be pressed into the receiving chamber (21). Said claimed device is characterised in that the tool (17, 18) can be displaced along a guide path (3A, 3B) that comprises a moulding section (A), in which a constant pressure is exerted upon portions of the mouldable mass on the strip by the tools (17, 18), said mass being disposed in the receiving chamber (21). The invention further relates to a method for forming moulded bodies, in which a mouldable mass is formed and is guided to at least one receiving chamber of a matrix grid (1).

Abstract: A sheet forming apparatus includes a first roll 3, a second roll 5 configured to sandwich molten resin extruded from a die in cooperation with the first roll 3, a coupling member 9 provided to be revolvable around a rotation center axis of the second roll 5, a third roll 7 provided rotatably on the coupling member 9 and configured to sandwich the resin conveyed along an outer periphery of the second roll 5 in cooperation with the second roll 5, and a coupling member supporter 13 configured to support the coupling member 9 at an intermediate part of the coupling member 9 so as to allow the coupling member 9 to revolve.

Abstract: This dough shaping machine includes, carried by a frame (12), a station (20) for rolling out dough, a station for rolling up the rolled out dough, a station for shaping the rolled up dough by stretching it and at least one conveyor (14, 16) for transferring the dough from the rolling out station (20) to the rolling up station (24) and the shaping station. Each conveyor (14, 16) constitutes a unitary assembly structurally separate from the frame (12) and is mounted on the latter through removable fixing members (130, 132).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing expansion-molded articles continuously by conveying foamed beads into a heating region sandwiched between upper and lower belts. The apparatus has a belt that continuously travels along the upper inside face of a passageway, defined by structural members, whose cross-section constitutes an approximately rectangular shape and a belt that continuously travels along the lower inside face thereof. At least one of the upper and lower structural members that form the passageway is capable of movement in the vertical direction between the side-face structural members such that the thickness of the expansion-molded article can easily be varied. And at least one of the side-face structural members is capable of movement in the lateral direction between the upper and lower structural members such that the width of the expansion-molded article can easily be varied.

Abstract: This invention concerns a dough piece moulder comprising a dough piece sheeting station (20), a station transporting (14,16) sheeted dough pieces along an outgoing path, from the infeed (18) of the transproting station (14,16), located opposite the sheeting station (20) up to an intermediate point, through a station rolling (24) sheeted dough pieces and a return path, through a station shaping rolled dough pieces by elongating them, from the intermediate point up to the outlet of the transporting station located in the proximity of the infeed (18) and whereat the shaped dough pieces are delivered outside the moulder; a transfer station (46) arranged in the proximity of the intermediate point, actively transferring the rolled dough pieces from the outgoing path to the return path.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the manufacture of plastic molded parts such as sheets, strips or the like which allows the continuous manufacture and largely ensures the avoidance of wastes. The arrangement according to the invention includes two revolving conveyor belts (9, 10) running parallel to each other and arranged at a distance of each other, sealed along their longitudinal edges by adjustable sealing members (16). A liquid plastic material, which is evenly distributed across the entire width of the conveyor belts (9, 10) is fed into the intake gap between the conveyor belts (9, 10) by a distributor means (6) comprising at least two containers (2) holding a monomeric component. The conveyor belts are placed in a chamber (22) in which the temperature required for solidification or polymerization of the liquid plastic material is achieved by heating means (25) while transported by the said conveyor belts (9, 10).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production, processing and packaging of a final chewing gum product. The product is extruded as a continuous tape or ribbon of material, the material is flattened into a approximate final cross-sectional size and shape, and then inserted into a final sizing apparatus. The sizing apparatus maintains the gum product in its final cross-sectional size and shape. Thereafter, the continuous strip of final chewing gum product is scored, cut into individual pieces, and individually wrapped by a standard packaging machine. The individually wrapped pieces of gum can then be assembled into sets and packaged into packs of gum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a disk of pizza dough ready for filling and baking using centrifugal force. Expanding of pizza dough under the influence of the centrifugal force is known, and the pizzaiolo applies such force by twirling a disk of dough overhead in a the room for expanding its diameter. Other known mechanical systems for this purpose provide very complicated devices equipped with radially oscillating levers which guide the dough in its radial expansion. According to the present invention the expansion of the diameter of the disk of dough under the influence of the centrifugal force is effected using an apparatus of very simple design including two plates arranged coaxial, one supported by the other.

Abstract: This dough shaping machine includes a station (20) for rolling out dough and a station (14, 16) for conveying the rolled out dough along an outward path from the entry of the conveyor station (14, 16) facing the rolling out station (20) to an intermediate point through a station for rolling up the rolled out dough and a return path through a station (44) for shaping the rolled up dough by elongating it from the intermediate point to the exit from the transfer point near the entry. It further includes, near the intermediate point, a station (46) for actively transferring the rolled up dough from the outward path to the return path.

Abstract: Sequential pieces of bakery dough are floured using a moving belt positioned beneath an elongated flour dispensing mechanism. The belt runs through a stationary guide that transiently forms the belt into a tubular enclosure which embraces the dough pieces, thereby producing a more complete flour coating on the pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production, processing and packaging of a final chewing gum product. The product is extruded as a continuous tape or ribbon of material, the material is flattened into a approximate final cross-sectional size and shape, and then inserted into a final sizing apparatus. The sizing apparatus maintains the gum product in its final cross-sectional size and shape. Thereafter, the continuous strip of final chewing gum product is scored, cut into individual pieces, and individually wrapped by a standard packaging machine. The individually wrapped pieces of gum can then be assembled into sets and packaged into packs of gum.

Abstract: A food dough apportioning device including a housing, a feeder unit (4), a cutting device (8), and a discharge unit (9). The feeder unit has a plurality of support elements which project from a front surface of the housing. The feeder unit and dispensing unit include rollers for driving conveyor belts, respectively. An adjustment unit (90) is provided for adjusting the tension of the discharge conveyor belt (91). Also, a number of rotatable shafts are keyed to rollers of a roller train. One of the shafts is arranged approximately centrally to the other shafts of the rolling train, the cutting device, and the device for moving the conveyor belt of the feeder unit. The centrally located shaft is attached by clamping the shaft between the front surface of the housing shaft and a disk by screwing on a knob on an outer end of the shaft. The disk partially covers the shafts and detains all of the rollers, as well as the cutting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of corrugated tubing of thermoplastic including a shaping path adjoining the head of an extruder, composed of a guide arranged in a frame structure, along which guide mold halves closed together in pairs as annular molds are advanced in close succession, said mold halves being provided on a lower side thereof with racks, at least one drive pinion arranged in the initial part of the shaping path for meshing with the racks of the mold halves as the same are pushed along the path, and an outlet, following the shaping path, in which the mold halves are separated from one another and are transferred to mutually separate return paths, on which they are shunted back by a conveyor to the inlet.

Abstract: The single tapered die mount employs a radially inner surface at an angle to the axis of rotation of the die mount, die and die holder. The radially inner surface of the die mount acts on an annular shoulder of the die to support and position the die in the die holder. The die mount of the invention is located between the radially outer surface of the die and the extended lip of the die housing. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the radially inner surface of the die mount in contact with the radially outer surface of the die shoulder has an angle of a modified Morse taper. The radially outer surface of the die shoulder is machined to a matching angle.

Abstract: Fried food products are produced by feeding a dough to a nip between a pair of contrarotating rollers arranged with their curved surfaces in contact with each other, and each of the rollers has grooves indented into its curved surface. The rollers push the dough into the grooves and form the dough into a lattice comprising an array of ridges imparted to the dough by one of the rollers, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other, and an array of ridges imparted to the dough by the other roller, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other. The direction in which the ridges of one array extend are at an angle to that of the other array so that the ridges of one array intersect the ridges of the other, and the contacting portions of the curved surfaces of the rollers form apertures in the dough between the intersecting ridges.

Abstract: A device (24) for aligning with a feeding line (8) of a moving transfer conveyor (3) and for bending a round elongated dough piece (13) randomly placed on the moving transfer conveyor for transfer, comprising a pair of stoppers (26, 26) symmetrically arranged in a funnel-shape above the moving transfer conveyor (3) so that the dough piece (13) can be moved to a central position between the stoppers (26) and (26). The stoppers are rotatable to bend the dough piece (13) and movable to release it on the moving transfer conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting the length of dough strands, comprising a receiving gutter, V-shaped in cross-section, whose walls are defined by elements which engage a dough strand placed in the gutter at regularly spaced apart locations along the length of the dough strand and can exert axial forces thereon. According to the invention, the elements which define the walls of the receiving gutter and engage the dough strands are formed by rolling members arranged with interspaces and adapted to be driven progressively and selectively from the middle (X--X) of the gutter in either direction, and support members which convey the strands transversely of the gutter are arranged between the rolling members. The mutual arrangement of the gutter and of the support members is variable, at least as to the relative level.

Abstract: A machine to roll dough into a substantially disc-shaped form includes two pairs of rollers and a device for rotating and accompanying the rolled dough from the first pair of rollers to the second pair of rollers. As the dough exits the first pair of rollers it rests on the lower edge of a small guide balance which moves the dough in a fixed trajectory and rotates the dough such that the dough enters the second pair of rollers in a direction, in relation to the dough approximately perpendicular to the direction the dough exited the first pair of rollers. The guide balance follows the same trajectory regardless for variations in the weight of the dough.

Abstract: The apparatus for hot pressing a pressed board mat used in making chipboard panels, fiberboard panels and pressed board panels comprises a continuously operating press with a lower press belt and an upper press belt and a conveyor with at least two endless conveyor belts adjoining each other. The press has a mouth entrance in which the conveyor extends with a delivery nose directed in the feed direction up to a delivery region in the entrance. The delivery nose is movable in the vertical direction, in the transport direction and in a direction opposite to the transport direction and because of that, the delivery region is displaceable in the entrance of the press according to the thickness of the pressed board mat to be pressed.

Abstract: A corrugator for molding externally ribbed and corrugated thermoplastic pipes, including two trains of moldblock halves circulating respectively in two endless paths and cooperating with each other to form a travelling mold for the thermoplastic pipes. The halves of one train are biased in relation to and overlap those of the second train along the travelling mold and are provided with intermeshing elements hooking the halves of the two trains together.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching plastic dough is provided. A plurality of conveyors arranged in series and a plurality of rollers disposed above the conveyors cooperatively act to stretch dough fed therebetween. The plurality of rollers are freely rotatable and the shafts thereof are fixed to connecting arms which can reciprocate above the conveyors to make the dough less thick.

Abstract: Particulate mats are transported from the downstream end of an upstream conveyor normally moving continuously in a longitudinal transport direction at a predetermined relatively slow speed to a press downstream in the direction from the upstream conveyor that receives the mats and presses them into hard panels by supporting the mats between the upstream conveyor and the press on a downstream conveyor having an upstream end spaced downstream from the downstream end and a downstream end at the press and an intermediate conveyor extending between the upstream end of the downstream conveyor and the downstream end of the upstream conveyor and having a length in the direction at least equal to that of each of the mats in the direction. A carriage supporting the downstream end of the upstream conveyor, the intermediate conveyor, and the upstream end of the downstream conveyor is reciprocated in the direction at a frequency related to mat size and speed.

Abstract: The roofing module of the present invention is comprised of a sheet of thermoplastic material which has opposed side margins that are bent upwardly at 90.degree. with respect to the body of the sheet to provide joinder tabs. The module is formed by transporting a flat sheet of the material between a pair of inwardly-facing radiant heaters which are focused on a line which the sheet will be bent about in order to soften the sheet along that line. After the sheet is softened along the fold line it is transported through a bending section comprised of a series of die rollers which cause the margin to progressively be bent upwardly to the desired orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the moulding of dough pieces, for instance in the production of bread. In a dough moulding machine, there are pairs of sheeting rollers, which roll out the piece of dough into a sheet. In the method of the present invention the dough piece is caused to pass over a fluidized bed in its approach to a pair of sheeting rollers. Further, the dough piece may pass over a fluidized bed as it is transferred from one pair of sheeting rollers to a following pair of sheeting rollers.The invention also includes an arrangement for replacing the usual feed hopper of a dough panner by a conveyor, a fluidized bed and lateral locating devices for the dough piece.

Abstract: A machine for transforming a piece of dough of globoidal form into a substantially circular puff-pastry includes a feeding duct for receiving the pieces of dough to be worked and bringing them in a first roll train disposed below the duct for flattening the pieces of dough along a first direction and to lodge the same on an inclined plate, thus permitting the so obtained elliptical pre-manufactured doughs to slide down toward a second roll train positioned below the first roll train.Each pre-manufactured dough which is discharged from the first roll train meets a first oscillating arm which is pivoted at an end portion of a second oscillating arm which in turn is pivoted on the structure of the machine.The pre-manufactured dough pushes the first oscillating arm downward, while contemporaneously causing the second oscillating arm to be rotated until the pre-manufactured dough is completely released by the first roll train.

Abstract: A device for spreading layers of dough of circular shape from dough balls comprises a first pair of rollers, a second pair of rollers having axes of rotation, arranged at a lower level than the first pair of rollers and at an angle to the first pair, a sloping plane arranged under the first pair and having an upper portion for taking up a dough layer getting out of the first pair, a rotating plane arranged at a lower portion of the sloping plane for receiving the dough layer from the sloping plane. The rotating plane is tiltable around an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the second pair of rollers from a first position whereat the rotating plane is aligned with the lower portion of the sloping plane to a second position whereat the rotating plane is aligned with an end portion thereof with the second pair of rollers.

Abstract: A plastic foam-forming mixture (31), e.g. a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam mix, deposited from one or more static dispensers (19) is metered through two spaced opposed members 14 and 18 forming between them a metering gap. At least one of the members is deformable in a controlled manner such that the profile of the metering gap can be variously defined. Reduces "crowning" of foam boards while permitting foam boards of different thicknesses to be made without having to replace metering bars.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an invention that belongs to the technical field of mines or equipment for bakeries and relates, in particular, to a machine for forming unbroken rings, or similar, of dough out of strips of moistened and kneaded flour.The technical problem that has to be solved is how to construct a machine of this nature which, despite being simple and of a relatively reduced volume, is able to handle contemporaneously many strips of dough and, above all, has the ability to prevent the strips from undergoing force harmful to the formation of dough of a particular shape, for example an unbroken ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for making profiled plastic tube and comprising two circulating endless chains, each making a plurality of mold halves move along with a tube coming from an extruder, these mold halves pairwise constituting a mold cavity in which the tube is being given its profile. According to the invention the molds are movable relative to the chain links in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the links. The machine frame is provided with guides for the mold halves, some located interiorly, others exteriorly, with respect to the chain loop, such that once closed, the cavity formed by the pairs of mold halves will remain closed and undisturbed up to the end.Preferably the transitions between curved portions and the operative portion of the path of the mold halves at the entrance and the exit ends are bending points of mathematically calculated paths and the operative straight path tangentially joins said transitional portions.

Abstract: A device to spread to thin circular rounds the lumps of dough used in the preparation of pizzas, comprising: a carrying structure having a sloping working surface, a first pair of rollers to roll the dough which are anchored by supports to the sloping surface of the carrying structure, a second pair of rollers to roll the dough which are positioned substantially at an angle to said first pair and are anchored by supports to said sloping surface of the carrying structure, the gap between the rollers of the second pair being the same as the final thickness of the thin round, and an oscillator for temporarily and movably supporting and guiding the thin round being formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping lumps of dough to flattened disks having substantially circular shape is provided. The apparatus comprises at least a first pair of rollers, generally two pairs of rollers, where flattening of the dough material begins, and a final pair of rollers where the dough material is flattened to its determined final thickness for baking. Between the final and next pair of rollers is a pair of conical rollers, gently urged towards each other, where the flattened dough material which emerges from the pair of rollers above the conical rollers is turned in a plane through an angle of about 60 to 90 degrees, so that the dough enters into the final pair of rollers with a different initial contact point than from the last pair of rollers. Generally, the dough material is elliptical when it is turned by the conical rollers, so that it becomes substantially circular after it emerges from the final rollers.

Abstract: A plastics foam-forming mixture (31), e.g. a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam mix, deposited from one or more static dispensers (19) is metered through two spaced opposed members (14 and 18) forming between them a metering gap. At least one of the members having a plurality of faces of different profile and being rotatable to present to the other member a selected face appropriate to the thickness of foam board to be produced. Reduces "crowning" of foam boards while permitting foam boards of different thicknesses to be made without having to replace metering bars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing reinforced profile belts of extruded material provided with a stretch resistant insert strip 6, wherein the extruded material stream 3 passes between two circulating endless loop halves 1, 2 of a divided former which converge along a portion of their lengths to form a closed former or pressure molding segment or run. The former segment is straight and the insert strip coated by the extruded material is pulled through it under tension. The insert strip inside the finished and hardened belt is encased on all sides and lies in the belt's central or neutral zone after leaving the apparatus.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for producing filaments comprising: supplying a plurality of streams of molten material; attenuating said streams of material into continuous filaments through the action of a stream of fluid moving from an attenuation means; said filaments being entrained in said fluid moving from said attenuation means, moving said stream of fluid and filaments along a first surface positioned intermediate said attenuation means and a foraminous surface; establishing a vacuum at said foraminous surface; directing said stream of fluid and filaments into said foraminous surface obliquely oriented with respect to said first surface such that a first portion of said fluid separates from the filaments and passes through said foraminous surface and a second portion of said fluid moves said filaments along the foraminous surface; collecting said filaments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing multi-layered dough materials containing at least dough layers comprising the steps of continuously extruding material in a tubular form onto a conveyor belt, stretching the material to a thin strip while being transported, folding and piling up the strip of material and re-stretching the piled up material. The apparatus comprises a dough feeder comprising a vertical hollow screw and a double-layered annular bottom outlet, a first conveyor means, a first roller assembly consisting of rollers progressing along a closed orbit, a swinging means positioned between the first and the second roller assemblies for swinging dough material so as to allow it to be piled up on a second conveyor means in a multi-layered form, and a second roller assembly similar to the first roller assembly for stretching the piled up dough material in coaction with the second conveyor means.

Abstract: A manually fed dough sheeter safely operable by anyone because of novel guard mechanism which physically prevents operator contact with sheeting rollers in operation, comprising dough piece receiving bin with top inlet aperture spaced well above rollers and defining passage thereto, first guard with lower portion blocking passage and movable by dough piece to move an upper portion to close inlet aperture, manually operable pusher for forcibly presenting to rollers dough piece stuck in passage, tray for receiving sheeted dough and enabling manual movement thereof through ninety degrees and sliding into second stage of sheeter, with second guard closely spaced above tray to prevent hand contact with second stage rollers, surface of tray being textured to substantially eliminate frictional resistance to dough sheet movement, and a circuit for controlling operation of roller driving motor manually or automatically for predetermined time in response to dough piece movement of first guard.