Abstract: A sandwiching machine includes a wafer conveying mechanism including multiple wafer conveyance rows and a pair of spaced apart belts. Each belt is positioned toward respective sides of the mechanism such that the belts are located laterally away from the wafer conveyance rows. A plurality of pusher bars extend laterally between the spaced apart belts and connected for movement therewith. Each pusher bar extends beneath a conveyance path of each wafer conveyance row and includes at least one pusher pin extending upward into the conveyance path. At least one stencil assembly extends over the wafer conveyance paths for depositing material onto wafers traveling along at least one of the wafer conveyance paths, wherein a deposit location of the stencil assembly is laterally spaced from each of the belts.

Abstract: A stencil assembly for use in depositing filling onto wafers includes a stencil tube defining a lengthwise passage for flow of filling, the stencil tube including an outer surface, and at least two axially spaced apart filling outlets passing through a wall of the tube. A first stencil die is positioned along the stencil tube and has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the tube in a region axially aligned with one filling outlet of the stencil tube, the first stencil die including at least one outlet extending from the inner surface of the first stencil die to an outer surface of the first stencil die.

Abstract: A mixing bowl-tilt system for a horizontal mixer includes a multi-stage gear reduction unit having an input and an output, wherein the input is connected to be rotated by a motor and the output is operatively connected to rotate a mixing bowl. Rotation of the input results in rotation of the mixing bowl. The multi-stage gear reduction unit is non-back driving and self locking and includes a first stage reduction and a second stage reduction.

Abstract: A stencil assembly for use in depositing filling onto wafers includes a stencil tube defining a lengthwise passage for flow of filling, the stencil tube including an outer surface, and at least two axially spaced apart filling outlets passing through a wall of the tube. A first stencil die is positioned along the stencil tube and has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the tube in a region axially aligned with one filling outlet of the stencil tube, the first stencil die including at least one outlet extending from the inner surface of the first stencil die to an outer surface of the first stencil die.

Abstract: This application relates generally to dough mixers and more particularly to a dough mixer including a mixing bowl with refrigeration/cooling jacket flow channels. Furthermore, the refrigeration/cooling jacket flow channels include curved end portions and/or curved guide vanes which provides for more efficient cooling of the bowl.

Abstract: An apparatus that loads horizontally oriented slugs of edible, edge-standing items into trays includes a tray delivery mechanism having a tray infeed for receiving trays, a tray outfeed from which filled trays can be removed from the apparatus and a tray conveyor that moves the trays from the tray infeed to the tray outfeed. An over head transfer mechanism is disposed above the tray conveyor. The over head transfer mechanism includes a pusher flight and a retainer flight. The pusher flight and retainer flight are configured to cooperate to transfer a pre-selected number of edge-standing items forming the slug from a counting conveyor to a tray loading area. The overhead transfer mechanism includes a flight adjustment system that adjusts a distance between the retainer flight and the pusher flight to change the pre-selected number of edge-standing items transferred by the over head transfer mechanism from the counting conveyor to the tray loading area.

Abstract: A trough hoist apparatus that raises, dumps and lowers dough troughs includes a column assembly comprising a first column and a second column spaced laterally from the first column. A first externally threaded screw is mounted within the first column such that the first threaded screw extends vertically along a height of the first column. A second externally threaded screw is mounted within the second column such that the second threaded screw extends vertically along a height of the second column. A first drive assembly includes a first internally threaded drive nut internally receiving the first threaded screw. The first drive assembly is configured to rotate the first drive nut relative to the first threaded screw to move the first drive assembly vertically along the first threaded screw. A second drive assembly includes a second internally threaded drive nut internally receiving the second threaded screw.

Abstract: An apparatus that loads horizontally oriented slugs of edible, edge-standing items into trays includes a tray delivery mechanism having a tray infeed for receiving trays, a tray outfeed from which filled trays can be removed from the apparatus and a tray conveyor that moves the trays from the tray infeed to the tray outfeed. An over head transfer mechanism is disposed above the tray conveyor. The over head transfer mechanism includes a pusher flight and a retainer flight. The pusher flight and retainer flight are configured to cooperate to transfer a pre-selected number of edge-standing items forming the slug from a counting conveyor to a tray loading area. The overhead transfer mechanism includes a flight adjustment system that adjusts a distance between the retainer flight and the pusher flight to change the pre-selected number of edge-standing items transferred by the over head transfer mechanism from the counting conveyor to the tray loading area.