Abstract: A dough sheet sensor comprises a sensing roller, a pivot, a roller support arm and an adjustable counterweight. The sensing roller is displaceable in a first direction as a function of tension in a dough sheet. The roller support arm supports the sensing roller and is attached to the pivot. The adjustable counterweight is attached to the roller support arm and positioned opposite to the pivot with respect to the sensing roller for counterbalancing the sensing roller and the roller support arm. A non-contact distance sensor is operably coupled to the sensing roller through a measurement gap. The measurement gap has a length that varies with the sensing roller displacement.

Abstract: A dough web feeding device is provided which includes a first conveyor, a drive means or motor for that conveyor, a reciprocating shuttle, and a separate drive means or servo motor for the reciprocating shuttle. The speed, amount of rotation, and acceleration/deceleration profile for the drive means of the reciprocating shuttle can be precisely controlled to facilitate adjustable dough lapping.

Abstract: A device for loading dough into cylindrical containers is disclosed. A first conveyor is provided which delivers a plurality of cylindrical containers to a receiving surface which is declining with respect to the horizontal. The containers are oriented such that a central cylindrical axis of each container is substantially parallel to the container receiving surface as the containers approach the container receiving surface. A second conveyor then delivers a cylindrical object to the receiving surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to path of the containers in the first conveyor as the objects approach the container receiving surf ace. The second conveyor aligns the cylindrical objects and causes the objects to be inserted into the cylindrical container. Means for positioning the container on the container receiving surface and for releasing the cylindrical containers after filling is also provided. A method of inserting cylindrical objects into cylindrical containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aerator (10) is disclosed which includes a hollow outer tube (12) and a hollow inner tube (14) rotatably supported therein. The inner tube is drivingly connected to a drive shaft (28) of the motor (18). A mounting flange (34) extends from a first end (36) of the outer tube and a mounting bracket (30) is interposed between the mounting flange and the motor. The mounting bracket and mounting flange are removably attached to the motor. A bearing mechanism which includes a bearing (44) and a ceramic wear sleeve (46) rotatably support a second end (40) of the inner tube adjacent the second end (42) of the outer tube. A propeller (20) is attached to the second end of the inner tube and has a pitch which is sufficiently high to move liquid past it at a velocity wherein cavitation of the liquid above the propeller is prevented at a preselected operating rotational speed.

Abstract: A bale wagon for loading, unloading and transporting bales of hay, straw or the like of a size not capable of being handled and maneuvered by a single person comprising a wheel mounted, bale supporting frame, a bale loading means pivotally mounted to the frame at its forward end, means for conveying said bales from the forward end of the frame to a selected position therealong, a tongue section connectable to a draft vehicle and disposed in an operative position such that the wagon trails the draft vehicle to one side thereof and a wheel means for supporting the side of the frame opposite the tongue section when the tongue section is in its operative position.