Abstract: A production line for bread blanks comprising a dough dispenser unit with a first rolling unit for preparing a dough sheet; a first conveyor receiving the dough sheet; at least one spreading/rolling unit operable in conjunction with the first conveyor, each unit having a spreader roll facing the underside surface of the conveyor and a backing roll in direct contact with the top surface of the dough sheet; a second rolling unit at the exit end of the first conveyor for trimming the dough sheet; a second conveyor receiving the trimmed dough sheet and; forming/releasing means operable in conjunction with the second conveyor for forming/releasing bread blanks from the trimmed dough sheet.

Abstract: The invention concerns the spreading of dough string when it moves on a cloth band. The spreading is effected by means of a pressing roll having a spiral like ridge around its periphery. The spiral runs from one end of the roll to the opposite end, but alters its spiral direction at the middle area of the roll. According to the invention the spiral roll is kept out of direct contact with the surface of the dough string by a cloth conveyed between the roll and the dough string with the advance speed of the dough. With this arrangement the rotation speed of the pressing roll can be selected independently of the advance speed of the dough string.