Abstract: A tortilla stack indexer (10) having an exit conveyor (12) which has a exit conveyor motor (12A) engagably attached thereto. At least two transverse conveyors are in a side-by-side parallel configuration at a perpendicular position to the exit conveyor (12) positioned at a rear distal end adjacent thereto. Each of the at least two transverse conveyors includes a transverse conveyor roller positioned at front end. A stacker conveyor positioned adjacent to the front end of the at least two transverse conveyors having a stacker conveyor roller positioned at rear end. A drive interrupter is engagably positioned between the transverse conveyor roller and the stacker conveyor roller. An electric eye securely mounted under the least two transverse conveyors controls the drive interrupter to prevent collisions of stacks of tortillas on the exit conveyor.

Abstract: A tortilla stacker has stacker and lift subassemblies that may be logically programmed for simultaneous operation in differing configurations of tortilla numbers and sizes.

Abstract: A tortilla cooling conveyor with distributed air diffusion (10) having a a housing (12) with chambers separated by a perforated top baffle plate (18T) and a perforated bottom baffle plate (18B). A plurality of perforated conveyors have curved guides at opposite distal ends to orientate the tortillas. Coils/fan are located in the bottom chamber to produce cool dry air which desiccates and reduces the temperature of the newly manufactured tortillas.

Abstract: A tortilla counter-stacker has stacker and lift subassemblies that may be logically programmed for simultaneous operation in differing configurations of tortilla numbers and sizes.

Abstract: An automatic tortilla cutter (10) able to cut stacked tortillas utilizing an openable housing (12) having a left housing (12L) and a right housing (12R) pivotally mounted on a housing bracket (12F) therebetween. The cutter (14) is positioned over the housing (12). Both the openable housing (12) and cutter (14) are preferably powered by a piston.

Abstract: A counter-stacker (10) for tortillas includes a housing (12), a perforated belt (16) within the housing (12), the perforated belt (16) adapted and arranged to receive incoming tortillas (42) and form vacuum-lifted tortillas (42A). At least one stacker belt (26) is rotatably mounted within the housing (12). A vacuum housing (28) is sealably mounted to the housing (12), the vacuum housing (28) connected to a means of producing vacuum (30). At least one stacker canister (32) is positioned under a rear end of the perforated belt (16). A bottom perforated plate (36A) has a plurality of bottom perforated plate openings (36AA) therethrough positioned within the perforated belt (16). A top perforated plate (36B) is slidably positioned on top of the bottom perforated plate (36A), the top perforated plate (36B) comprising a plurality of complimentary positioned top perforated plate openings (36BA).

Abstract: A tortilla counter-stacker (10) having a canister (12) which has a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein. A stacker (16) is positioned adjacent to the canister (12). The stacker (16) has a stacker cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston (16AA) attached at a front distal end to a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA). A lift (18) is positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) has a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (18AA) has a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof. An upper conveyor (20) is horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T). The upper conveyor (20) has a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon which incoming tortillas (28C) are placed.

Abstract: An improved procedure utilizing a cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile system for forming F.sub.1 hybrid cottonseeds (i.e., seeds capable of forming hybrid cotton plants of the first filial generation) is provided which is readily amenable to the determination and maintenance of the desired level of purity in the hybrid cottonseed product. The parent plants required for hybrid formation are each homozygotes (as described) with respect to differing leaf shape configurations (i.e., the male sterile female parent plants have a broad-leafed configuration and the fertility-restoring male parent has a narrow-leafed configuration). The resulting F.sub.1 hybrid cotton plants are heterozygotes with respect to leaf shape phenotype and can be visually differentiated from each parent. Following the F.sub.1 hybrid-forming cross-pollination, at least a portion of the resulting cottonseeds are grown, and the approximate proportion of F.sub.