Abstract: This machine is a compound cutting and shearing device which is capable of removing slices of sausage meat from a bulk sausage stored in the machine and delivering the sliced sausage to a precise location on a food product located adjacent the machine. Simultaneously, the machine has a shearing device which shears a finger of cheese from a bulk slab of cheese stored in the machine and delivers the sheared finger of cheese to a precise location on the previously delivered sliced sausage meat.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in a food paste pump, e.g. a tomato paste pump, or an egg mixture paste pump, for an apparatus for the making of an overlapped-folded, filled, rolled, food product. That apparatus includes a supporting frame structure, and a conveyor system supported thereon, the conveyor system passing a plurality of work stations. Intermittent moving means are provided for intermittently moving the conveyor system from one work station to the next work station downstream therefrom. The work stations include a sheet of dough feeding mechanism; a foodstuff loading mechanism; a sheet of dough folding mechanism; a folded sheet of dough rolling mechanism; discharge means; and control means to synchronize the intermittent movement of the conveyor system with the sequential operation of all the above-described mechanisms. At the foodstuff loading mechanism, a pair of the novel food paste pumps is provided.

Abstract: A novel dough feeding, cutting and depositing apparatus is provided herein. It includes a pivotally-mounted feed tray. Means are provided on the feed tray for gripping a continuous dough sheet and for advancing it forwardly along the feed tray to the downstream end of the feed tray. Means are provided for cutting a discrete sheet of dough from a continuous dough sheet overlapping the end of the feed tray, and for depositing such discrete sheet of dough on a sheet of dough tray station. Means are provided for moving the upstream end of the feed tray upwardly to its maximum "up" position for the duration of the time the continuous dough sheet is being advanced forwardly along the feed tray. Means are provided for moving the upstream end of the feed tray downwardly to its maximum "down" position for the duration of the time the means for cutting is effecting the cutting of the continuous dough sheet into a discrete sheet of dough.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of a generally-cylindrical overlapped-folded, loaded, rolled dough food product.

Abstract: A novel food production apparatus is provided herein. It includes a supporting frame structure, and a conveyor system supported thereon, the conveyor system passing a plurality of work stations. Intermittent moving mechanisms are provided for intermittently moving the conveyor system from one work station to the next work station downstream therefrom. A dough sheet feeding mechanism is provided for intermittently loading a square sheet of dough at a diamond orientation onto the conveyor system while the conveyor system is stationary. At least one foodstuff loading mechanism is provided at one work station downstream from the dough sheet feeding mechanism to load foodstuff onto the sheet of dough while the conveyor system is stationary. A folding mechanism is provided at another work station downstream therefrom, to provide a substantially-hexagonally-shaped, loaded, overlapped-folded, sheet of dough, while the conveyor system is stationary.

Abstract: A novel food production apparatus is provided herein. It includes a supporting frame structure, and a conveyor system supported thereon, the conveyor system passing a plurality of work stations. Intermittent moving mechanisms are provided for intermittently moving the conveyor system from one work station to the next work station downstream therefrom. A dough sheet feeding mechanism is provided for intermittently loading a square sheet of dough at a diamond orientation onto the conveyor system while the conveyor system is stationary. At least one foodstuff loading mechanism is provided at one work station downstream from the dough sheet feeding mechanism to load foodstuff onto the sheet of dough while the conveyor system is stationary. A folding mechanism is provided at another work station downstream therefrom, to provide a substantially-hexagonally-shaped, loaded, overlapped-folded, sheet of dough, while the conveyor system is stationary.