Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of bread dough rolls is provided. The apparatus includes a first press for spreading the bread dough blank across the top surface of the mold and forcing a portion of the bread dough blank at least partially into the at least two depressions; and a second press for further spreading the bread dough blank across the top surface of the mold and forcing a portion of the bread dough blank completely into the at least two depressions. This provides a bread dough roll which can have a cross-section of intentionally varying thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for scoring surfaces of objects, such as unbaked bread loaves, is provided. A tray is configured to hold unbaked bread loaves. A conveyor advances the tray along a transport path. Sensors detect the tray's presence and orientation. A control unit processes the detection signal's and controls a member that causes the tray to rotate. Two or more sets of knives located above the production line contact and score the upper surface of the bread loaves in different orientations. A mechanism realigns the tray on the conveyor.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for use in conjunction with a horizontal switch includes a pair of opposed fixed guide members having facing guide surfaces defining a central output path and opposed angularly extending guide surfaces defining left and right output paths. A pair of movable guide members comprise facing guide surfaces and opposed, diverging guide surfaces. Rotary solenoids are used to selectively position the movable guide members in engagement with corresponding dampening pads thereby positioning the facing guide surfaces of the movable guide blocks to direct switch engaging members along the central output path between the fixed guide blocks.

Abstract: A biscuit inverter mechanism comprising a pair of elongate, parallel, downwardly angled support members. The spaced parallel support members provide support for a biscuit when running thereover to enable that biscuit to be guided with a constant orientation through the mechanism. The support members also provide support for one side only of a biscuit when running thereover whereby the biscuit rotates under gravity to an inverted orientation before leaving the mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting at least one magnetically attractable article. The conveyor system includes an elongate track extending along a path including at least one arcuate section; a chain conveyor mounted for movement through the track; at least two grids attached to the chain conveyor, a portion of each of said grids extending laterally relative to said elongate track; at least one magnet mounted on each grid for coupling by magnetic force at least one magnetically attractable article to at least one of the grids; and a connector apparatus for allowing limited movement of the article coupled by the magnet, relative to the grid, while retaining the article in engagement with the grid.

Abstract: Method and device for relaxing a sheet of dough, comprising a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt, a supporting device disposed between the first and second conveyor belts and a vibration generator interacting with the supporting device, in which the first conveyor belt conveys the sheet of dough at a first speed of conveyance on the supporting device, the vibration generator by way of the supporting device exerts a mechanical vibration with an essentially constant frequency on the sheet of dough, and the second conveyor belt discharges the sheet of dough at a second speed of conveyance which is essentially the same as the first speed of conveyance of the supporting device.

Abstract: The device for working a dough strand into a thin dough sheet, comprises two superimposed endless conveyors the operative runs of which are facing one another and adapted to be driven in the same direction at the same speed. The operative runs confine a passage gap for the dough strand that gradually increases in height in the conveying direction. According to the invention, the operative run of the upper one of the two belt conveyors has, as seen in the conveying direction of the dough strand, a profile, that satisfies the equation: ##EQU1## in which Y.sub.x is the perpendicular distance between the operative run of the upper belt conveyor and the lower, flat belt conveyor at a point x in the passage gap between the two operative runs, and wherein a is a measure for the length of the conveyance path.

Abstract: A mass of baker's dough is delivered from hopper (28) through stuffing pump (30), developer (38), branch conduits (42-44), through metering pumps (46-48), to dough divider (55), where the streams of dough are divided into dough balls which drop to a rounder bar conveyor (60). The columns of dough are independently maintained from the dough divider (55) to the sheeter-molder-panner (24-26).

Abstract: A package comprises a flexible bag (1) and a label (2), the bag having a closed end (3). The closed end is openable to provide an opening (12) for access to the contents of the package and reclosable by means of the label (2). The label (2) has on one face two areas (8, 9) of adhesive separated by a non-adhesive area (10), the adhesive areas (8, 9) being adapted to adhere to the package (1) one to each side of the opening (12) such that said non-adhesive area (10) extends over the opening.

Abstract: A low fat substitute fat food stuff mixture and method for making the same is disclosed, the mixture substantially simulating the appearance, taste, texture, and mouth feel of traditional fat-filled foods. The mixture can be easily substituted in one to one proportions for butter, margarine, shortening, oil, lard and other fats called for in many foods.

Abstract: A low-fat saute and method for making the same is disclosed, the mixture substantially simulating the appearance, taste, texture, and mouth feel of traditional fat-filled sautes.

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: 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: A molded proofer tray (10) for use in commercial bakeries, includes threaded inserts (28) molded directly into the outer end (14) walls for removably receiving mounting pins (30) to facilitate repair if damaged. A female embodiment (40) is also provided.

Abstract: A machine for slicing bakery products such as rolls and buns. Buns that are arranged in clusters having at least four buns each have their two outside buns sliced from the outer edges and the interior buns sliced from a location between them. A vertical disk with a dull edge is arranged to engage the weak line between the two interior buns to create a break from the bottom that provides access for the shaft of the slicing blade to pass through the bun cluster without disfiguring the buns. The disks and the slicing blades for the interior buns are carried on a lower slicing mechanism which underlies the conveyor system for the buns. The lower slicing mechanism can be slid out to one side of the machine for servicing. The disks can be lowered to an inoperative position by an actuating linkage, and the lower slicing blades are automatically released when the disks are lowered.

Abstract: A packaging machine for round bakery products such as bagels and English muffins. The products are conveyed flatly side by side in successive transverse rows which are delivered by an infeed belt conveyor. The infeed conveyor discharges the products into open top chutes equipped with deflector rods located off center in the chutes. The products are rotationally deflected by the deflector rods to an edge down position. The chutes discharge the bakery products onto a packaging conveyor which receives the products in each group on edge and oriented face to face in a stack which can be conveniently packaged. Each deflector rod can be situated in two different alternative positions offset on opposite sides of the transverse center of the bakery product. This allows the faces of the products in each package to be oriented as desired.

Abstract: A pair of cooperating heating and pressing plates for converting a ball of dough into a flat baked disc, such as a tortilla, are mounted between vertical side frames of a supporting frame structure. The one heating and pressing unit is fixedly mounted at an angle to the horizontal sufficient to insure the gravitational discharge of the baked tortilla. The movable plate is shifted by a manually operable cam. All elements of the apparatus are secured in position between the side frames by a plurality of manually operable bolts, thus permitting the rapid disassembly of the apparatus for cleaning purposes and the equally rapid reassembly of the apparatus.