Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dough moulding and a machine for carrying out the method, and in particular, is concerned with cross-panning of the dough piece. One or more incisions are made in the dough piece so that it can be folded, and according to the method of the invention, after the incisions have been formed, the dough piece travels to the dough folding station between a moving element and a stationary control member (which may be a spring loaded control plate) so that the dough piece is forced to turn about its longitudinal axis. The length of this control movement is so arranged that the angular displacement of the dough piece causes the dough hinge or hinges to be in a desired orientation when the dough piece arrives at the folding station. In W-folding the center dough hinge is displaced from the side dough hinges by 180.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for slitting and folding dough for cross-panning of the dough piece. One or more incisions are made in the dough piece so that it can be folded, and according to the method of the invention, after the incisions have been formed, the dough piece travels to the dough folding station between a moving element and a stationary control member (which may be a spring loaded control plate) so that the dough piece is forced to turn about its longitudinal axis. The length of this control movement is so arranged that the angular displacement of the dough piece causes the dough hinge or hinges to be in a desired orientation when the dough piece arrives at the folding station. In W-folding the center dough hinge is displaced from the side dough hinges by 180.degree., and the method and apparatus ensures that the dough piece is presented to the dough folding arrangement with the side dough hinges on the leading side of the dough piece.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the compacting and discharging of a dough piece in and from a dough moulding machine. According to one aspect of the invention, the dough piece is passed over a fluidized bed (air-film-lubricated chute) and at the same time, it is squeezed between a pair of rollers having their axes substantially at right angles to the fluidized bed. This method of compacting, is particularly useful in the cross panning of a dough piece.A second aspect of the invention provides a method of discharging a dough piece from a dough moulder, in which it is delivered on to a downwardly inclined fluidized bed and as it leaves the bottom of the fluidized bed it falls on to a rotating discharge roller so that it is slid forwardly under the action of the discharge roller.The invention provides apparatus for carrying out both the compacting and discharge methods.