Abstract: An adjustable roller assembly for producing sheeted food products of an accurate thickness which includes an adjustable roller positioned adjacent a second roller. The adjustable roller is held in bearings which are eccentrically mounted in a pair of turnable members which are supported by a first bearing. The axis of rotation of the adjustable roller is offset from the axis of rotation of the turnable members. The polar orientation of the turnable members is continuously adjustable to provide the desired thickness of the sheeted food product. Preferably, the orientation of the turnable member at one end of the adjustable roller is adjustable independently of the roller orientation of the other turnable member.

Abstract: A dough pre-sheeting system within a food processing system having a receptacle for receiving dough and an extrusion die with an elongated-slot die opening. Dough is pressure fed from the receptacle through the elongated-slot die opening preferably by multiple augers, and emerges from the extrusion die as a continuous sheet having a generally uniform thickness. The continuous sheet of dough is then received by sheeter rollers for further sheeting and thickness reduction. Additionally, a method of pre-sheeting dough utilizes the dough pre-sheeting system described above for extruding a first continuous sheet of dough which is subsequently received by the sheeter rollers for further sheeting.

Abstract: A sheeter which includes a wire assembly for separating a sheet of dough from a surface of a rotating roller. The wire assembly is formed from a thin sheet of stainless steel with portions of the sheet removed to form a thin wire-like portion along one edge supported to a base portion by a series of thin support webs. The sheet is supported by a base portion so that the wire portion is held against the outer surface of the rotating roller. In this way, the wire can extend essentially the full width of the roller and the normal band portions which conventionally hold a wire against the surface of the roller are eliminated. Preferably, the thin sheet is vibrated to prevent any buildup of foodstuffs on an upper surface of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sheet of material, e.g., dough or masa, from a supply of the material includes a pair of rotatable rollers that define therebetween a gap into which is input a dough mass and out of which is produced a dough sheet. Fluctuations in the size of the roller gap are sensed by detecting changes in the position of one of the rollers, which changes are input to a servo system that automatically corrects the position of the one roller so as to maintain the proper gap size. The one roller is movably mounted in scissor-like fashion and is easily driven by a servo motor. A cutter is provided which presses against one of the rollers to cut individual dough portions from the sheet. The ends of the cutter are subjected to a bending moment which induces a camber in the cutter. This prevents the central portion of the cutter from bowing away from the roller and ensures uniform pressure between the cutter and roller, even for applications with an extremely long cutter and rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sheet of material, e.g., dough or masa, from a supply of the material includes a pair of rotatable rollers that define therebetween a gap into which is input a dough mass and out of which is produced a dough sheet. Fluctuations in the size of the roller gap are sensed by detecting changes in the position of one of the rollers, which changes are input to a servo system that automatically corrects the position of the one roller so as to maintain the proper gap size. The one roller is movably mounted in scissor-like fashion and is easily driven by a servo motor. A cutter is provided which presses against one of the rollers to cut individual dough portions from the sheet. The ends of the cutter are subjected to a bending moment which induces a camber in the cutter. This prevents the central portion of the cutter from bowing away from the roller and ensures uniform pressure between the cutter and roller, even for applications with an extremely long cutter and rollers.