Abstract: Embodiments of this invention, useful for removing articles cut from a sheet of flexible material include 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: Embodiments of this invention, useful for removing articles cut from a sheet of flexible material include 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: 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.