Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling masa, the dough material used for production of tortillas. The hopper has a nozzle sized to output a continuous piece of masa of a predetermined thickness to a pair of spaced opposed conveyors which grip and feed the masa between them. A drive mechanism connected with the conveyors drives them at a speed faster than the speed of the masa exiting the nozzle to separate them into individual masa logs.

Abstract: Masa handling methods for the continuous processing of masa type dough in conjunction with commonly available feed processing equipment, such as a masa extruder, an oven, or cooling apparatus. One masa handling method includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa stream output from a nozzle on the masa extruder. When the masa stream moves between the conveyors, it is gripped by their facing surfaces and moved away from the nozzle, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling method can also include feeding the masa to masa hoppers fed by at least two endless belt conveyors arranged in upstream and downstream positions relative to each other.

Abstract: A masa handling apparatus for the continuous processing of masa type dough in conjunction with commonly available feed processing equipment, such as a masa extruder, an oven, or cooling apparatus. The masa handling apparatus includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa steam output from a nozzle on the masa extruder. When the masa stream moves between the conveyors, it is gripped by their facing surfaces and moved away from the nozzle at a faster speed, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling apparatus can also include at least two masa hoppers fed by at least two endless belt conveyors arranged in upstream and downstream positions relative to each other. The masa is transported along the conveyors and is automatically diverted into one masa hopper by a diverter gate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining the lateral spacing of parallel rows of tortillas while transferring tortillas between two vertically spaced conveyors. The tortilla transfer guide is positioned adjacent to two generally horizontal, vertically spaced endless belt conveyors. The tortilla transfer guide has at least one scalloped section having a center of curvature aligned with the longitudinal axes respectively corresponding to an associated row of tortillas travelling towards the guide on the upper conveyor and an associated row travelling away from the guide on the lower conveyor. Each scalloped section is capable of moving a laterally misaligned tortilla towards its center of curvature, which is aligned with the proper longitudinal row axis on the lower conveyor.