Abstract: Apparatus useful for removing articles cut from a sheet of flexible material includes a gas transmissive conveyor belt that is brought into proximity to the exposed surface of the articles, a suction roll which backs the conveyor belt and has an internal vacuum and passageways for exposing said vacuum to the outer surface of the suction roll in configurations corresponding the leading portions of the articles, and means for causing the passageways to register substantially with the leading regions of the articles. Embodiments may also include passageways which are arcuately arrayed in groups, a cylindrical cutter roll for cutting out the articles from the sheet as it is being transported by a carrier surface, and/or a carrier surface in the form of a roll face.

Abstract: Machines are disclosed for making arepas from corn flour dough which is then formed into arepas in a cavity situated between abutting, opposing forming members. The cavity, when the forming members are closed with dough occupying the cavity, is of predetermined dimensions, is substantially circular in the plane where said members abut, is substantially bilaterally symmetrical with reference both to said plane and the central axis of that circular portion, and, axially from that plane, is of progressively increasing thickness dimension proceeding from said edge of said circle toward that axis. The forming members are then moved apart from each other by a distance at least equal to the axial dimension of the cavity and the arepa preform is disassociated from the forming members and its entire outer surface, but not its interior, is cooked using primarily radiant and/or convective heat, but not conductive heat to any significant extent.

Abstract: Machines and methods are disclosed for making arepas from corn flour dough in a cavity situated between abutting, opposing forming members. When the forming members are closed, dough occupying the cavity is circular in the plane where said members abut, and is of progressively increasing thickness dimension toward its axis. The forming members are then moved apart from each other and the arepa preform is disassociated from the forming members and its entire outer surface, but not its interior, is cooked using primarily radiant and/or convective heat. In some embodiments, the dough is extruded directly into the cavity while the forming members are already abutting each other. In others, the dough is extruded, a preform plug is severed from the extrusion, the cavity portion of one of the forming members is pressed down against the preform plug while it sits on a distensible surface backed by a backing member having a circular central void.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing formed articles such as tortillas. Embodiments include apparatus comprising a non-sticking, heat tolerant, endless conveyor belt moving at desired constant speeds to position tortilla dough balls between the heated platens of a tortilla press. The press is moveable in the direction of the path of travel of the belt at the same speed as the belt when the platens are in their closed position with the dough balls squeezed between them. Thereafter, the press may be opened sufficiently for the upper platen to disengage the flattened dough and then slowed, stopped and moved counter-directionally to the direction of travel of the belt. At a pre-determined position, the press is again stopped and reversed to cause it to travel again in the direction of travel of the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for transporting articles from one location to another by use of vacuum to suspend them from the underside of a perforated conveyor belt as it moves along the apertured underside of a vacuum box. Embodiments include a vertically actuable flat plate having a compressible bottom surface positioned within the box, whereby upon actuation of the plate downwards, vacuum acting through the apertures of the underside of the vacuum box may be interrupted and a slight positive pressure introduced into the apertures, to effectuate release of suspended articles.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include methods and apparatus for the production of flour from which products such as corn tortillas, tortilla chips, "taco shells", and the like, may be produced, in a continuous process, by pre-cooking the grain, stabilizing its moisture content, milling it to particulate form for suspension in a super-heated stream of air, replacing the ambient air with air which has lower moisture content and is cooler, and segregating out the flour-size particles from larger particles which are further processed into flour.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include methods and apparatus for the production of flour from which products such as corn tortillas, tortilla chips, "taco shells", and the like, may be produced, in a continuous process, by pre-cooking the grain, stabilizing its moisture content, milling it to particulate form for suspension in a super-heated stream of air, replacing the ambient air with air which has lower moisture content and is cooler, and segregating out the flour-size particles from larger particles which are further processed into flour.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for processing grain, such as corn, into flour and dough useful in making foodstuff products, such as tacos, tortillas, corn chips, etc. In one embodiment, atmospheric pre-heating of the grain with consequent cracking of the hull is combined with the softening effects of a lime water spray to deliver partially cooled grain in a comparatively dry state to a mill for efficient pulverization, following which it is made into a dough which is finally cooked and formed into the desired end product.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for processing grain, such as corn, into flour and dough useful in making foodstuff products, such as tacos, tortillas, corn chips, etc. In one embodiment, atmospheric pre-heating of the grain with consequent cracking of the hull is combined with the softening effects of a lime water spray to deliver partially cooled grain in a comparatively dry state to a mill for efficient pulverization, following which it is made into a dough which is finally cooked and formed into the desired end product.

Abstract: A continuous machine system for producing a cooked dough-type product by utilizing pre-cooking of the dough while being mixed prior to shaping enabling a reduction of oven dwell time to a minimum while obtaining the commercially desired characteristics in the final product. Proper pre-cooking dough temperature is achieved by mixing heated liquid with the ingredients or heating the mixing vessel or both. A delicate balance between pre-cooking action is achieved to produce an attractive appearing and delicious product, and the machine system components are synchronized to yield a continuous high speed economical process resulting in a product such as a tortilla possessing the desired characteristics of taste, texture and appearance.