Abstract: A weighing apparatus comprising a weigh deck, one or more load cells, and two staging bars. The weighing apparatus is configured to be installed in an existing conveyor system having a frame and a conveyor belt so that the weigh deck is generally flush with the frame and the weigh deck and the staging bars are positioned underneath the conveyor belt. The staging bars are positioned to mitigate weight measurement variations produced by the conveyor belt. In many cases, the staging bars are vertically adjustable. One or more weigh bridges can be incorporated into a production line or conveyor system.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism (40) in a preferred form of an ultrasonically vibrating titanium knife (42) is moved in a cutting path parallel to but without physical contact with the die face (18) of an extrusion die (16) with its faces (46, 48) at a minor acute angle relative to the die face (18). The die face (18) is at an acute angle to the conveyance direction of a conveyance mechanism (12) defining a preferred form of a takeaway device. The cutting mechanism (40) is moved in a return path from the completion of the cutting path in the extrudate direction away from the die face (18), away from the conveyance mechanism (12), and then towards the die face (18) to the initiation of the cutting path. The cutting mechanism (40) is spaced from and does not physically contact the conveyance mechanism (12) at all times in the cutting path so that the individual piece is cut from the extrudate in mid-air.

Abstract: A low or no sugar sweet roll product or intermediate is provided wherein at least a portion of the sweetness of the sweet roll product is provided by a non-nutritive sweet flavorant provided in combination with at least one sugar alcohol having a molecular weight less than about 350. Additionally, specific formulations of non-nutritive sweet flavorant with defined sugar alcohols and/or polydextrose are provided when the non-nutritive sweet flavorant and sugar alcohol is in the filling component or the icing component of the sweet roll product or intermediate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shaped cookie dough intermediates provided in an easy to use and convenient format, having an integral design element which can be provided on a commercially produced scale. The shaped cookie dough intermediate can be produced in various configurations and have any sort of internally, preformed design element. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the creation of individual cookie dough intermediates that have predetermined shapes other than generally circular and which include an interior arrangement of other dough shapes, designs or elements in order to create a composite cookie dough intermediate that is illustrative of a particular theme or event, such as holiday, special occasion, sporting event and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packaged, convenient to use cookie intermediates having an integral design element which can be provided on a commercially produced scale. The individual cookie dough intermediates can be produced having any sort of internally, predetermined design element and is provided in a convenient packaging arrangement. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the creation of individual predetermined dough intermediates that include an interior and integral arrangement of dough shapes, designs or elements in order to create a composite cookie dough intermediate that is illustrative of a particular theme or event, such as holidays, special occasions, sporting events and the like, that are provided in a ready to use, convenient format without requiring any additional slicing, breaking or similar action prior to baking or cooking.