Abstract: A method of retrofitting a magnetic centerguide to a grid. The grid is of the type adapted to carry a pan along a path defined by a conveyor to which the grid is attached. The centerguide is of bifurcated construction which is split at one or both ends of its structure in order to allow it to be maneuvered about the grid structure for partial assembly. After being partly assembled, a fastener secures the bifurcated portion together to provide a magnetic centerguide in which the underside of a magnet is attracted to and thereby guides a pan when placed on the grid.

Abstract: A magnetic centerguide for a grid structured for travel along the path of a conveyor. The grid defines a support surface that supports a pan. The guide generally comprises a magnet-carrying guide member mounted to the grid, normally but not necessarily on the grid centerline, and adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the support surface. The guide functions with numerous types of pans having different configurations of dough-carrying pockets and inter-pocket gaps. The guide member automatically adjusts its vertical position to contact the underside of the pan under a pocket or in an inter-pocket gap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning conveyor chains in commercial ovens of the type having a continuous conveyor chain supported in a track for transporting bakery products through the oven. A portion of the conveyor chain and supporting track transits outside the heated baking area of the oven and an automatic chain lubricator is positioned along the portion of the track transiting outside the baking area of the oven. A fan for creating a flow of cooling air and at least one air duct are located outside the baking area. The duct receives one end cooling air from the fan and directs the cooling air on to the conveyor chain along the portion thereof located outside the heated baking area of the oven and upstream from the lubricator. Also, an air knife is disposed upstream of the lubricator and directed onto the chain to remove undesired debris, etc., therefrom.

Abstract: A movably mounted and adjustably positionable feed-roll head for a food extruder or the like (110, 210) having a unitized head assembly which includes at least one feed-roll (114, 116, 214, 216) and its related operational structure and rigid but movably mounted supports (124, 224, 225) for each end of the feed-rolls and related structure, whereby the entire unitized assembly may be moved relative to the remainder of the extruder for cleaning, die change, etc., without disassembly or removal of the feed-rolls, etc. The preferred mounting for the unitized structure is a pivot mechanism (126, 226, 227) for each of the feed-roll supports, and a readily adjustable repositioning mechanism (128, 228) such a screw jack assembly (232) is coupled to the other side of the feed-roll supports, whereby gradual and progressive position changes of the unitized feed roll assembly are made possible.

Abstract: The stack height and moisture content of baked goods produced continuously in a multi-zone oven, such as a gas-fired band oven, is controlled and adjusted using microwave energy. Color development, flavor development, texture, and appearance of the baked products are not adversely affected by the replacement of a substantial amount of the non-microwave energy input with microwave energy. The stack height and moisture content of the baked product may be controlled or adjusted with the microwave energy to be within predetermined ranges or specifications independently of each other. Upon detection of product which is not within specifications, the microwave energy may be used to rapidly adjust stack height and/or moisture content so that they quickly return to their predetermined acceptable levels thereby substantially reducing product waste or recycling. The stack height of the baked pieces is controlled and adjusted using microwave energy early in the baking process.

Abstract: An apparatus for baking a dough-type product includes an oven having an enclosure, a product supporting conveyor in the enclosure, burners positioned to heat the product, and an integrally associated emissions control device for controlling emissions emanating from the product while baking. A recirculating system for controllably directing air from the oven to and from the emissions control device is integrated into or with the oven, and preferably positioned in the oven enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a baked starch-based corn product. The method involves mixing masa flour and water and incompletely cooking the mixture during a precooking step, preferably during mixing of the ingredients. The incompletely cooked masa is sheeted and cut into shapes. The shapes are steamed, baked, and then dried. The steaming and baking steps advance the cooking of the masa constituents incompletely cooked during the mixing stage, resulting in an improved texture, bite, and shipping characteristic.

Abstract: A multi-walled plate element for use in a plate heat exchanger, manufactured by pressing two or more plates, said plate element having a plurality of holes which, when several plate elements are assembled, form distribution channels of a plate heat exchanger. At least some of the holes of the plate element are provided in that one of the walls incorporated in the plate element has a hole cross-section corresponding to the hole concerned of the plate element, and that the other wall or walls incorporated in the plate element have a different hole cross-section. The plate element is assembled with other plate elements to provide a plate heat exchanger. Gaskets (100) are arranged between two plate elements, said gaskets (100) extending along the periphery of the plate elements and around one set of port holes such that the inlet and outlet of a distribution channel can communicate via flow between the two plate elements through the other set of port holes.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a quantity-metering device includes a housing and spray nozzles for dispensing fluid onto the feed rollers of the quantity-metering device and collecting the fluid together with media which is removed from said feed rollers. The cleaning apparatus includes manifolds which carry the nozzles. The cleaning apparatus is inserted in a location vacated by a component of said quantity-metering device.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for making confectionary or other shell goods by the method of filling a mold with a desired media and then inverting the mold to drain the media from the mold while leaving the mold coated by a layer of the media, thereby forming a hollow shell inside the mold. The mold travels through the apparatus on a conveyor. A sliding table is used to provide a turning point which defines the mechanism by which the mold is inverted. The sliding table receiprocates back and forth between extended and retracted positions along the direction of travel of the conveyor so that the speed of inverting the mold can be increased as the sliding table is retracted or decreased as the sliding table is extended.

Abstract: A bakery oven system is disclosed which includes a bakery oven through which an endless conveyor may pass that carries bakery products to be treated in the oven. The conveyor includes a conveyor section located out of the oven and adapted to pass through a grid burn-off unit which serves to clean the grid on the conveyor. The grid burn-off unit includes a separate enclosure having a burner arrangement for applying heat to the conveyor to burn off residue on the conveyor. A plurality of brushes are located downstream of the burn-off enclosure, in the direction of travel of the conveyor, to clean carburized material off of the conveyor.

Abstract: A bakery oven of the type employing a continuous conveyor therein for carrying goods to be baked through an oven enclosure includes an air distribution system adapted to direct heated air from near the top wall of the oven enclosure to the bottom and sides thereof. The air distribution means includes a fan mounted on the top wall of the oven which includes at least one fan blade located within the oven enclosure, a fan shaft secured to the fan blade and extending through the enclosure top. The fan shaft is mounted on the top of the oven for rotation and is driven by a separate motor also mounted on the top of the enclosure in spaced relation to the shaft. A drive belt is provided to transmit rotary power from the motor to the shaft. As a result, the shaft is fully exposed for air cooling and heat from the interior of the oven is not transmitted to the motor.

Abstract: A bakery oven is disclosed which includes an oven enclosure having opposed end and side portions, with conveyor inlet and outlet openings formed therein. An endless center drive chain conveyor is provided which includes a first section located outside of the enclosure with portions thereof passing through the inlet and outlet openings. The conveyor includes a second main portion located within the enclosure which follows a generally spiral path of travel including a first sequential set of spiral flights having a generally continuously increasing elevation rising in the enclosure to a predetermined elevation, a second set of spiral flights having a generally continuously decreasing elevation in the enclosure, with the flights of said second set being located between the flights of the first set.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus is disclosed which includes a food conditioning enclosure having opposed end and side portions, with conveyor inlet and outlet openings formed therein. An endless conveyor is provided which includes a first section located outside of the enclosure with portions thereof passing through the inlet and outlet openings. The conveyor includes a second main portion located within the enclosure which follows a generally spiral path of travel including a first sequential set of spiral flights having a generally continuously increasing elevation rising in the enclosure to a predetermined elevation, a second set of spiral flights having a generally continuously decreasing elevation in the enclosure, with the flights of said second set being located between the flights of the first set.

Abstract: A bread moulder has a feed chute for receiving dough pieces and directing them between counter-rotating sheeting rollers for flattening the dough and delivering it to apparatus for working it between convergent runs of driven endless upper and lower belts. A shutter is hinged in the feed chute and is biased to closed position but is yieldable under impact of a dough pieces thrown onto it to allow the dough piece to pass through the feed chute. A safety gate in the form of a double grille, V-shaped in end view, is hinged to the feed chute and is movable by a handle to cause its leading part to move the shutter into the chute to dislodge any dough lodged therein, its trailing part forming a barrier before the sheeting rollers.

Abstract: A bread moulder has a feed chute for receiving dough pieces and directing them between counter-rotating sheeting rollers for flattening the dough and directing them between convergent runs of driven endless upper and lower belts. At the sides of the feed chute are feed tubes aligned to receive elongated fingers of dough endwise and to direct them gravitationally between the sheeting rollers to be delivered to and wound spirally by the upper and lower belts for the production of shell rolls.

Abstract: A bread molder for working dough between convergent runs of driven endless roller-mounted upper and lower belts has the lower belt carried by an adjustment frame which can be moved to vary the spacing between the two belts. A pair of side shaping arms can be inserted closely between the two belts to limit the lateral expansion of the dough being worked. A delivery plate on the belt adjustment frame extends below the upper belt to receive and deliver a dough piece worked between the two belts, and a series of spaced parallel splitter blades are mounted for simultaneous advance between divisions in the delivery plate for dividing the worked dough into sections.

Abstract: Means for supporting and driving agitators in commercial food mixers and the like as disclosed herein include structure for mounting and supporting the agitator(s) separately from the structure which rotatably supports the mixing bowl. The mixing bowl has a pair of spaced ends and is rotatably supported by trunnions fixed to such spaced ends and extending outwardly therefrom toward adjacent support frame members which have journals for rotatably cooperating with such trunnions to thereby support the mixing bowl. The agitator for the mixer is journaled in the spaced ends of the mixing bowl, such that the weight of the mixing bowl and the mix therein is not imparted to the agitator shaft. Preferably, th agitator is rotatably driven by drive-transmission means including drive gears disposed outside the mixing bowl and outboard of the support frame members but generally in alignment with the agitator shaft, and flexible drive means (e.g.