Abstract: A tortilla oven comprises a housing which encloses upper, center, and lower conveyors. The lengths of the conveyors are individually monitored and adjusted. The interior of the housing is heated by a plurality of the individually regulated burners that extend through the conveyors. Ambient air is directed upwardly along the sides of the housing for temperature control.

Abstract: An oven drive system for use with commercial bakery ovens comprises a speed reducer and motor external to the bakery oven, a drive shaft extending from within the oven and operatively coupled to the speed reducer and the motor, and conveyor chain driving caterpillar located within the oven and operatively coupled to the draft shaft. The drive shaft is configured for minimal heat transfer to components external to the oven.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns comprises a perforated vacuum turntable. Vacuum is applied to the vacuum turntable while bakery products are loaded thereon and positioned in a predetermined pattern. Once the bakery products are positioned on the turntable in the predetermined pattern, an air assist is applied to the vacuum turntable while the bakery products are unloaded therefrom. The air assist eliminates contact between the wrappers of the wrapped bakery product and the upper surface of the turntable thereby eliminating disorientation of the bakery products within the wrappers.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns comprises a perforated vacuum turntable. Vacuum is applied to the vacuum turntable while bakery products are loaded thereon and positioned in a predetermined pattern. Once the bakery products are positioned on the turntable in the predetermined pattern, an air assist is applied to the vacuum turntable while the bakery products are unloaded therefrom. The air assist eliminates contact between the wrappers of the wrapped bakery product and the upper surface of the turntable thereby eliminating disorientation of the bakery products within the wrappers.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable. A first transfer apparatus moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and a second transfer apparatus moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays. A bakery tray loading system receives unfilled bakery trays and sequentially delivers unfilled bakery trays to a bakery tray loading station adjacent to the vacuum turntable. A conveyor assembly within the bakery tray loading station supports the bakery tray while being filled and thereafter conveys the loaded bakery tray onto an out-feed conveyor for further processing.

Abstract: Conveyor chains of the type utilized in commercial ovens and proofers are provided with improved bearing support for the rotating and pivoting components of the chains. The rotating components comprising antifriction bearings constructed from superior components which support substantial improvements in the service life of the conveyor chains. The pivoting components are provided with plain bearings and/or antifriction coating which also function to extend the service life of the conveyor chains.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: Conveyor chains of the type utilized in commercial ovens and proofers are provided with improved bearing support for the rotating and pivoting components of the chains. The rotating components comprising anti-friction bearings constructed from superior components which support substantial improvements in the service life of the conveyor chains. The pivoting components are provided with plain bearings and/or anti-friction coating which also function to extend the service life of the conveyor chains.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to the facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to the facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus. The system has a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, which moves along a track. Each link supports a product supporting grid, which has four circular rings. Pole pieces are located in at least some of the rings. Each pole piece has a conical section and can move horizontally relative to the grid. A magnet in each pole piece attaches the pole piece to a product pan.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous bakery products includes a carriage having opposed sealing jaws. Upper and lower webs of wrapping material extend between the jaws of the carriage along a bakery product path. Bakery products to be wrapped are advanced along the bakery product path between the webs of wrapping material and between the initially open jaws of the carriage. The jaws of the carriage are then closed to form transverse seals at the trailing edge of a leading package of bakery products and at the leading edge of a trailing package of bakery products. The carriage is advanced along the bakery product path during the sealing operation so that sealing of the bakery product packages is carried out on a continuous basis.

Abstract: In an automated commercial baking system, a bakery utensil storage system is provided for automatically receiving baking utensils from a continuous conveyor of the baking system and immediately directing the utensils over a selectively positionable curved conveyor for engagement with a predetermined one of a series of table top conveyors from where they are immediately returned to the baking system or lifted by and stored in elevators associated with the table top conveyors. When needed, the utensils are lowered by the elevators for engagement with the table top conveyors from where they are carried to a selectively positionable curved conveyor for return to the continuous conveyor of the baking system.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus. The system has a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, which moves along a track. Each link supports a product supporting grid, which has four circular rings. Pole pieces are located in at least some of the rings. Each pole piece has a conical section and can move horizontally relative to the grid. A magnet in each pole piece attaches the pole piece to a product pan.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous bakery products includes a carriage having opposed sealing jaws. Upper and lower webs of wrapping material extend between the jaws of the carriage along a bakery product path. Bakery products to be wrapped are advanced along the bakery product path between the webs of wrapping material and between the initially open jaws of the carriage. The jaws of the carriage are then closed to form transverse seals at the trailing edge of a leading package of bakery products and at the leading edge of a trailing package of bakery products. The carriage is advanced along the bakery product path during the sealing operation so that sealing of the bakery product packages is carried out on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A conveyor system for use in a continuous proofing and baking apparatus. The system has a conveyor chain, having a plurality of links, which moves along a track. Each link supports a product supporting grid, which has four circular rings. Pole pieces are located in at least some of the rings. Each pole piece has a conical section and can move horizontally relative to the grid. A magnet in each pole piece attaches the pole piece to a product pan.

Abstract: An article sorting switch comprising a plurality of pallet support members and means for moving pallet support members through a predetermined closed course. Pallets are slideably supported on the pallet support members in abutting relationship and have switch engaging members depending therefrom. The pallets have lower arcuate side portions that allow the pallets to remain in continuous sequential contact as the pallets pass through arcuate portions of the closed course. A switching mechanism is provided for selectively directing the pallets to one of several diverging article conveying paths. The article conveying paths are defined by sorting guide members, and return guide members are provided for realigning the pallets to a central location corresponding to the switching mechanism. Knife edge conveyors are provided to load and unload the article sorting switch without subjecting the articles to any substantial vertical drop.