Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the oil filled rounder bar with grooves for use with an endless belt-type conveyor for transporting dough pieces thereon incorporates a shaping surface formed of oil filled plastic material. The shaping surface forms a pocket with the belt of the conveyor and receives and shapes dough pieces transported along the belt of the conveyor. Preferably, an array of grooves are formed in the shaping surface to promote frictional engagement of the dough pieces with the shaping surface. Method aspects also are provided.

Abstract: The forming tool with a special structuring surface includes a reusable ceramic base tool and a replaceable metallic forming member releasably attached to the base tool and provided with a structuring surface for forming a structure in the plate glass. When the comparatively rapidly wearing forming member must be replaced, especially when structuring to form structures with sharp edges, only replacement of the metallic forming member is necessary. This two-component structure also provides additional freedom regarding selection of materials for the base tool and the structuring surface. Thus the base tool can have a comparatively smaller thermal expansion and/or conductivity and the forming member can have a comparatively higher thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a continuous foamed plastics element (2), such as a floor construction member of the type comprising a substantially parallelepipedic central body (3) and at least one lateral projection (5,6), includes a mold (13) comprising a forming chamber (13a) and a stabilization chamber (13b) defined between a bottom wall (22), a pair of opposite side walls (20,21), and a cover (23). Advantageously, the cover (23) and/or one or both the side walls (20,21) of the mold (13) comprise a plurality of structurally independent segments which may be adjustably positioned toward and away from the bottom wall (22) of the mold (13) for independently adjusting, in a substantially continuous manner, the height of the molding seats of the central body (3) and/or of the lateral projection (5,6) of the continuous element (2) in each of the forming (13a) and stabilization (13b) chambers of the mold (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for making balls of butter includes a conveyor and a dispensing head mounted above the conveyor for delivering pieces of butter to the conveyor. Two roller bar assemblies are mounted above the conveyor, and crank arms rotate each of the roller bar assemblies in a plane which extends generally parallel to the conveyor. As the butter pieces are moved by the conveyor past the roller bar assemblies, the roller bars roll the butter on the conveyor and form the butter into balls. The balls of butter may be delivered to a freeze tunnel for freezing before packaging.

Abstract: A method and device for forming a strand of dough from a relatively short dough body by providing a first conveyor belt having a first dough contact face and second conveyor belt having a second dough contact face, keeping the two dough contact faces spaced in order to define a transforming space for the dough body, placing the dough body on the first dough contact face of the first conveyor belt at rest and in the transforming space, subsequently driving the first conveyor belt while the second conveyor belt is at rest, and driving the second conveyor belt while the first conveyor belt is at rest, wherein the first conveyor belt is driven exclusively in one direction and the second conveyor belt is driven exclusively in one direction, whereby the resulting dough strand is stress-free and can maintain a straight shape.

Abstract: A dough ball loader includes a conveyor belt supported on a frame. A frame plate is fixed in position over the conveyor belt. Loading tubes on the frame plate are aligned over a loading opening in the frame plate. Pairs of flatteners are pivotably attached to the frame plate adjacent to the loading opening. The flatteners preferably have a flat bottom surface. An actuator is linked to the flatteners and pivots the flatteners from an open position for loading dough balls onto the conveyor belt, to a closed position, for flattening the dough balls and fixing them into position on the belt.

Abstract: A vacuum pressure forming apparatus which is capable of uniformly heating a sheet member and preventing the occurrence of wrinkles or rain drops in the sheet member. The apparatus is equipped with an endless belt having a number of air holes and is stretched between a heating drum and a cooling drum. After preheating, the sheet member is placed closely into contact with a surface of the endless belt through the use of a pressing roller and the sheet member is clamped between the endless belt and a metal pattern having a plurality of cavities formed therein. The apparatus further includes a pressure difference producing device which supplies pressurized air from a rear surface side of the endless belt toward the sheet member such that pressure on an upper surface of the sheet member becomes higher than pressure on a lower surface thereof. Consequently, the sheet member is formed into configurations corresponding to the configurations of the cavities of the metal pattern.

Abstract: A machine for pressing and forming food products has a die including an inner die plate surrounded by an outer die ring. The inner die plate is axially movable relative the outer die ring, between an extended state and a compressed state. A circumferential flexible seal connects the inner die to the outer die ring. During operation, when the inner die moves from the extended state to the compressed state, the seal creates a groove for the formation of a ridge, or crust of pizza dough. The die is more easily manufactured, has a longer useful life, improves the reliability of the machine, and allows for making rising crust pizzas.

Abstract: A sheet of dough is wound up by a roller and a pressing device. The roller is located above a conveyor that conveys a sheet of dough. The pressing device is located near the roller. When the roller is winding up the sheet of dough, the pressing device moves to the roll of the sheet, so that the pressing device presses the wound-up sheet. Then, the pressing device moves away from it. This is repeated, so that the sheet is repeatedly pressed and thus tightly wound up.

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: A method for manufacturing a shaped panel from a continuous length of an expanded mat. The method includes transporting an expanded mat on a conveyor. The conveyor includes side chains and a plurality of spaced apart slats, which extend transversely between the side chains, on which the expanded mat is supported. The side chains and the plurality of slats define a plurality of openings in the conveyor. A length of the expanded mat is confined and shaped between a male mold and a female mold by moving the male mold and the female mold into mating relationship through one of the plurality of openings in the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product includes feeding device for a cosmetic product in powder to a movable conveyor belt, so as to form a layer of cosmetic product that is not levelled, levelling means of the layer of cosmetic product that is not levelled, placed downstream from said feeding means of the cosmetic product, to form a layer of levelled cosmetic product, and portioning and compression means of the layer of cosmetic product for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product.

Abstract: The invention provides for the manufacture of food products. In one preferred form, methods and apparatus are provided for cutting individual confectionery products from a slab or strip of product material into a product with a particular silhouette. In another form, the invention provides methods and apparatus for both cutting and forming individual confectionery products from strips or ropes. The process can be used for simply forming products from pre-cut segments or other blanks of confectionery material, including imparting a relatively precise texture, finish or detail to such products. The products may, but need not, be subsequently enrobed in chocolate or another coating. The confectionery material may also include candied fruit bits, dry fruits, nuts, or the like.

Abstract: A machine for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product includes a feeding device for a cosmetic product in powder to a movable conveyor belt so as to form on the conveyor belt a layer of cosmetic product and a portioning and compression device for the layer of cosmetic product for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product. The conveyor belt includes a belt in a material permeable to air. The machine includes a supporting plate with a plurality of through holes placed under the belt of the conveyor belt opposite the portioning and compression device, to allow the air to escape during the formation of the tablets.

Abstract: Dough shaping devices for shaping baker's dough pieces include a pair of cooperating shaping members, such as concave rounder bars (27) placed over a surface conveyor (16). The concave surface of the rounder bars is formed with a metal base plate (45) that includes a concave dough shaping surface (46) formed of stainless steel. Metal particles are formed on the dough shaping surface by the sputtering of metal plasma, to form a roughened texture, and a slick material, such as a fluropolymer, is applied thereover, to form a grainy but slick surface against which the dough pieces move. The grainy surface retards sliding friction of the dough pieces, while the slick surface permits immediate release of the dough from the dough shaping surface.

Abstract: A dough molder including a stainless steel case, a sheeter, a former, a compressor, and a removable cleaning tray. The sheeter includes a fixed roller, adjustable roller, and a scraper for each roller, where the gap between the rollers is adjustable. The dough from the sheeter is directed to a conveyor belt that moves the dough to the former, a reticulated surface, such as a chain link screen, flexible in the direction of belt movement, that forms the dough into a roll. The belt directs the rolled dough from the former to the compressor that compresses the rolled dough into a cylindrical shape. The cleaning tray is located between the upper and lower legs of the belt, accumulating bits of flour and dough. The tray is removable for emptying.

Abstract: A pressure plate facing fabric is secured to the pressure plate of a bagel forming machine. The fabric is positioned to form an acute angle with the circulating belt of the machine to avoid build-up of dough at the feed-in end of the machine.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for developing dough capable of developing dough uniformly and effectively. In the method for developing dough based on difference in surface velocity between a pair of upper and lower rollers disposed upstream and another pair of upper and lower rollers disposed downstream, it is characterized in that the upper roller disposed upstream moves vertically and reciprocally to beat the dough. In the apparatus for developing dough comprising a pair of upper and lower rollers disposed upstream and another pair of upper and lower rollers disposed downstream, it is characterized in that the upper roller disposed upstream is vertically movable so as to beat dough. Dough is effectively and uniformly developed without displacing the upper and lower layers so that the stress inside dough is dispersed and gas is effectively let out of dough.

Abstract: A rounder bar for use with conventional dough manufacturing equipment is used to convert a piece of dough into a spherical dough ball. The rounder bar includes a contact face used to engage and shape the piece of dough. The contact face has a gradually varying height and radius to form a compression section proximate the first end of the bar and a rounding section proximate the second end of the bar. A bumpy texture and coating on the contact face prevent the dough from sticking to the rounder bar.

Abstract: A platen cover feed system includes a frame supporting a pair of spools. A belt is connected at each end to the spools and can be fed from one spool to the other or vice versa. The spools can be mounted on supports located at the four top corners of the frame, and the rear supports can be adjusted to various heights. The system may include clamps associated with the spools. The clamps can be tightened or loosened manually in order to either fix the belt in place or feed it forward or backward. Thus, the belt can be fed a varying distance in either direction. The belt is generally made of, or coated with, Teflon or a similar non-sticking material.

Abstract: An apparatus for rounding the sequential pieces of bakery dough dispensed by a dough handling machine employs upper and lower advancing assemblies. Each assembly has an endless flat conveyor belt. Both belts move in opposite directions, and are dimensioned such that the pieces of dough fall off the extremity of the upper belt onto the lower belt. Stationary vanes on the top surfaces of the belts contact the pieces of dough to cause rounding thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for docking a rimmed crust carried on an intermittently moving conveyor is provided. The device has a vertical reciprocating piston positioned above the rimmed crest, a plate supported by the piston, a plurality of pins protruding downwardly from the plate in a predetermined docking pattern, a stripper plate supported from and below the plate wherein the stripper plate has a plurality of holes arranged to allow the pins to penetrate therethrough, resilient springs positioned between the stripper plate and the plate to force the stripper plate and the plate apart, and a controller to operate the piston to move the plate toward the conveyor and to lift the plate away from the conveyor. A method of perforating a plurality a rimmed crust of dough is also provided.

Abstract: A modification is provided to a traditional dough-forming machine for producing bagels so that the machine can produce an elongated bagel stick. The machine has a flat conveyor belt onto which incremental pieces of dough are dropped. The belt is pulled through a forming tube which curls and rolls the dough increments around an axially positioned mandrel. The mandrel has an elongated fin which extends at least to or through a wall of the forming tube and which prevents free ends of the dough from pressing against each other to form a continuous circular shape around the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for shaping elongated bar-shaped bread dough pieces. In and by this method and apparatus a bread dough piece, namely, a bread dough sheet, a divided bread dough mass, or a preshaped bread dough roll, is subjected to a first rotation, thereby pressing and rolling it in a first gap defined by a conveyor and a pressing belt or a pressing board that faces it, while being conveyed downstream, so as to shape an elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece. This elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece is then fed into a second gap defined by an upper face that comprises a pressing belt or pressing board and a lower face that faces it and comprises a conveyor, a pressing belt or a pressing board, and is subjected to a second rotation that is in a direction reverse to that of the first rotation, thereby shaping a further elongated bar-shaped bread dough piece with a straight wound-dough end.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing continuous tortillas which includes a double-press system with three conveyors. The two presses are arranged in series to eliminate production gaps as the tortillas proceed into the oven. The structure of the second press is positioned higher than the structure of the first press so that tortillas formed from the second press can be deposited on the intermediate conveyor with tortillas formed from the first press, thereby providing a continuous supply of tortillas to the oven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing light-weight construction panels having a cementitious core layer surfaced with a layer of reinforcing fabric bonded to the two faces of the core includes the use of slurry applicator having a supporting member and a doctor in addition to a moving carrier for the slurry coated fabric. The edges of the panel also are covered with the fabric and may be open mesh edges. Cementitious slurry, for example, portland cement slurry, is applied to the fabric by means of a supporting member over which the fabric is drawn and a doctor means adjustably mounted above the supporting member. The supporting member is of a non-base-reactive material such as polypropylene or stainless steel; the use of such a supporting member permits better application of the slurry to the fabric before placement of the slurry coated fabric on the moving carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a spindle-shaped wrapped food (10) by squeezing both end portions of a cylindrical wrapped food (10A) having an extra portion at each end of a membraneous food (12) with a filling member (11) enwrapped therein using an apparatus including an endless conveyor device (20) having a mechanism for pushing up an endless belt (21) with both edges thereof inclined, a stationary resistance plate (23) juxtaposed along and above the endless belt (21) of the endless conveyor device (20) and having a downwardly inclined portion (25) at each edge thereof, and a pair of auxiliary resistance portions (26) directed toward gaps S formed between both side edges of the stationary resistance plate (23) and both side edges of the endless belt (21) respectively, a space formed between the endless belt (21) and the stationary resistance plate (23) being of a generally spindle shape in section.

Abstract: An improvement in a dough ball pressing apparatus in which the continuous conveyor belt is provided with metal strips at predetermined spaced locations along each edge of the conveyor belt and a pair of proximity switches are positioned on the apparatus adjacent the edges of the conveyor belt for detecting the metal strips. The proximity switches cause the belt driving mechanism to stop upon detecting a metal strip for precisely locating the belt and controlling the distance of travel in each cycle. The conveyor belt is provided as a flat length with ends that are realeasably connected by a pin for allowing easy installation of the belt without disassembling the belt drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing crisp, long term preservation, small loaves on an industrial scale including a forming machine having a feeder assembly, a molding station and a forming station laid sequentially to each other. The feeder assembly includes a plurality of parallel, sequentially-laid driven roll pairs, a gap between corresponding roll pairs decreasing in width from the most upstream roll pair to the most downstream roll pair. The molding station includes first and second counter rotating driven rolls, the first roll having a plurality of mold cavities uniformly distributed across its skirt, and the second roll having a smooth surface skirt, the rolls being mounted in pressure contact with each other. The forming station includes a folder device.

Abstract: A dough piece rounder and method where the belt used for conveying the dough pieces past the rounder bar is supported by a thin film of air between the underside of the conveyor belt and a perforated plate which forms the upper flat side of a plenum chamber. The principal part of the apparatus is supported on a horizontal cantilever cylinder so that the belt can be readily replaced from one side and the apparatus can be tilted so that the inlet and exit of the dough pieces can be at different levels.

Abstract: Apparatus for "forming" (reshaping) plural dough balls on a conveyor including means for arranging the balls in a desired order on the conveyor. Included is a transfer conveyor with reciprocative end portion and funnel type means cooperating with ring means above a second conveyor for facilitating arranging the balls on the second conveyor and controls for the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a dental root canal filling point is provided, wherein provision is made of a rotary member having its outer processing surface in the form of a curved plane in parallel with its axial direction and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined speed and a moving member in which at least its processing surface is located in parallel with the processing surface of the rotary member and adapted to move at a speed substantially identical with a peripheral speed of the rotary member in the same direction as the rotational direction of the rotary member in a gap portion in which a minimum distance is defined between the processing surfaces of the rotary member and moving member.

Abstract: In accordance with the instant invention, biaxially oriented polymer sheet is produced by continuously forging polymer feedstock between a pair of converging belts in an isochoric deformation region to form the sheet from the feedstock. The resulting sheet is immediately annealed after being formed and subsequently cooled after being annealed by passage through an isobaric region defined by a pair of opposed parallel belts backed by a pair of opposed parallel platens which interface with the belts via an oil seal so as to transfer heat from the sheet through the belts to the cooled platens. The resulting sheet has substantially uniform strain distribution over the width and length thereof as well as through the thickness thereof while maintaining its flatness after emerging from the apparatus.

Abstract: A glosser, and method of glossing, includes a belt-type glosser in which resin-coated web or sheet material is pressed or molded against a casting surface of the belt under heat and pressure, and is thereafter removed. A matte surface is provided by forming a non-locking grooved pattern on the casting surface of the belt in the form of a diffraction grating. The grating configuration is formed with a series of lands, separated by grooves or depressions, in which the side walls of the depressions are tapered to provide a valley narrower at the bottom than at the top adjacent the land surfaces so as to be free of resin-trapping overhanging projections or portions. The spacing between the grooves may be randomized.

Abstract: Polymerized foam material in flat billet form is enclosed in a heat-retaining envelope and heated to forming temperature then promptly loaded into an innovative unheated forming press and accurately formed before cooling below forming temperature. The heat-retaining envelope has an expansive skin on one side and a contractive skin on the other side to facilitate bending without wrinkling or other distortion. The forming press utilizes a rigid male form punch and a spring-tensioned elastic belt, supported on a pair of variably-spaced rollers, initially presenting a flat compliant surface upon which the heated workpiece is placed. Pressure from the form punch progressively deflects the workpiece and the belt, which becomes a compliant mold member conforming itself and the workpiece progressively around the form punch to yield an article of required carved shape, free of wrinkles or tool creep distortions.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching a plastic raw material such as bread dough. By providing a plurality of conveying assemblies which is adapted to be driven at respective different speeds and driven forwardly or backwardly, and a roller mechansim positioned above the conveying assemblies, an effective stretching of the plastic material fed between the rollers of the roller mechanism and the conveying path of the conveying assemblies is performed. The plastic material is fed from either direction of the conveying path to simply repeat the stretching operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing, dividing and kneading pieces of dough, the apparatus being adapted to be installed in a continuous and automatic dough processing plant, the pressure plate, dividing knives and dough holder ring being combined to form a unitary processing head which receives a revolving kneading movement while a kneading belt having kneading recesses remains stationary with respect to the processing head. The kneading belt conveys the undivided pieces of dough into the pressing, dividing and kneading zone and also conveys the discrete pieces of dough out of the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for centering and shaping dough pieces baked products or the like which is inserted between two treatment machines in a commercial baking line for the production of bread or similar baked products, for example between a dividing and weighing machine and a prefermentation chamber, or between a prefermentation chamber and a shaping and alongating machine, this apparatus comprising a conveyor for feeding the ball-shaped dough pieces from the dividing and weighing machine or the prefermentation chamber, an endless belt conveyor of which the outer face comprises rack means consisting of transverse bars, two parallel guideways disposed at the input end of the apparatus and overlying said endless conveyor belt, a centering spout consisting of two convergent vertical walls and disposed downstream of said guideways, a shaping channel having an inner width inferior to the spacing of said pair of parallel guideways and disposed downstream of said centering spout, a plurality of succ

Abstract: A dough ball conveyor loader apparatus includes a flat conveyor belt supported horizontally and a loading unit positioned above the belt. The loading unit positions each of a series of dough balls on the belt. The loading unit also forms a flat on each of the dough balls against the flat belt to prevent movement of the dough balls upon movement of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for making composite sheets that are homogeneous, dense, and have an even surface. The apparatus comprises an oscillating plate unit that vibrates in a direction transverse to a belt means. Composite pre-mix is deposited on the conveyor belt which draws it under the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate has three sections: a curved plate section; an inclined plate section and a flat plate section. The composite pre-mix is metered by the curved plate section, compacted by the inclined plate section and maintained compacted by the flat plate section. These thus formed composite sheets may be cured and are particularly adapted for use in fuel cell structures such as electrode substrates.

Abstract: A fabric fusing device is described having a heat box and a conveyor assembly with a continuous belt. The conveyor assembly is floating above the belt at a preselected distance therefrom and may be pivoted from a horizontal, essentially operating position and a vertical position for maintenance. The belt is supported by rollers, one of which is adjustable for rightening the belt and to compensate for variations in the belt's longitudinal dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus acts upon an extrudate rope to form individual elements of predetermined size and shape which elements are separated from one another a predetermined distance. A die is used having a predetermined shape with indentations therein to press the extrudate rope against a support at predetermined locations. A conveyor belt is used to carry the extrudate rope in one direction, and the die is supported such that during the pressing operation the die forward speed matches the extrudate rope forward speed. A supporting table underlies the conveyor belt. The die has a pair of generally spherical indentations for shaping pieces from the extrudate rope. The die is formed of a non-stick material such as Teflon.RTM.. A chamber is located in an opposite surface of the die from each respective indentation, to serve as a plenum fluid supply to the indentations, bores connecting the respective opposing chambers to respective indentations.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for permanently elongating dough pieces to a great length starting from pieces of dough of a medium length, said elongation process being inserted in the automatic sequence of different phases of treatment in an industrial production line for long loaves of bread and comprising an elongating device treating simultaneously entire rows of pieces of dough which have already been pretreated in suitable equipment to a medium length to transfer them subsequently, after having imparted a long length to them, to a final rising chamber prior to their being baked.

Abstract: A press for the continuous production of pressedboard utilizes a pair of steel pressing belts running over respective surfaces of a platen defined by gaps into which steel rollers are fed. The rollers which have diameters of less than 20 mm are fed with a spacing which corresponds substantially to the thickness of the belts and have diameters equal to substantially ten times this thickness.

Abstract: A process for the continuous manufacture of sheeting from thermoplastic synthetic resins includes the steps of applying thermoplastic synthetic resin, in the form of particles, such as shreds, crumbs, cuttings, pieces, chips, or the like, continuously as a sheet-like layer of raw material to a moving support; passing the raw material layer through a heating zone to thereby preheat the material layer to a temperature approximately in the range from 100.degree. to 140.degree. C.; pressing the preheated material layer continuously over its full area during travel through a treatment zone so that, in a first phase, the raw material layer is compacted and welded under the effect of a pressure of from about 10 to 60 kp/cm.sup.2 and at the same time the material layer is heated to a temperature in the range from about 160.degree. to 220.degree.

Abstract: A rounder bar with a biased flexible foot portion responsive to surface irregularities of a conveyor for maintaining a continuous contact with the conveyor along the full length of the rounder bar.

Abstract: A device for making batches of bread paste ready for the oven comprising a member deforming each risen batch of paste into elongated slabs, a folding mechanism receiving slabs from said member for folding the front and rear portions on the central portion and a conveying section for conducting away the folded piece of paste transversely of the direction of folding, the improvement is that the folding mechanism comprises two normally adjacent carriers adapted to reciprocate along a common path, the movement of the hindmost lagging with respect to that of the foremost carrier so that through the space formed between the carriers, first the central portion drops onto the subjacent conveying section, after which the front and end portions are folded onto the central portion.

Abstract: A press for forming a traveling compacted web from initially uncompacted material has upper and lower continuously traveling metal belt spans vertically interspaced so the material can be carried between the spans. Each span has means for directly heating it conductively and for pressing it towards the other span for compacting and heating the material when carried between the spans. Side edge portions of the spans overhang the heating and pressure means to protect the latter from being contaminated by the material while it is in its uncompacted condition and during its compaction. These overhanging portions are not heated directly and are colder than the balance of the spans during operation of the press. Normally this results in the side edge portions being stressed undesirably by tension and other stresses.

Abstract: In forming settable mix into hollow-cored articles, cantilevered hollow core-forming mandrels are disposed in a mold station, each mandrel being wrapped in a flexible, non-porous casing formed as an endless loop slip-case which encloses the exterior and interior mandrel walls. Movement of the mix moves the casing along the longitudinal mandrel axis rotating it around the exterior and interior mandrel walls, thereby preventing the accretions of settable material on the mandrel.

Abstract: A dough ball conveyor loader apparatus includes a flat conveyor belt supported horizontally and a loading unit positioned above the belt. The loading unit positions each of a series of dough balls on the belt. The loading unit also forms a flat on each of the dough balls against the flat belt to prevent movement of the dough balls upon movement of the belt.