Abstract: A multi-row dough-portioning apparatus has a chamber housing having a number of portioning chambers for predetermining a portioned quantity of dough. Measuring pistons can each be displaced in the portioning chambers along a displacement direction between a retracted, measuring position and a pushed-out, ejecting position. A rotation-prevention bar is installed in a releasable manner on a rear wall of the chamber housing and interacts with a circumferential recess in the measuring pistons in order to prevent rotation of the same. The chamber housing has a projecting section, which projects beyond the rear housing wall. The rotation-prevention bar is installed on the chamber housing such that, upon release, it can be removed from the chamber housing in a removal direction perpendicular to the displacement direction of the measuring pistons. This results in a dough-portioning apparatus which, even in the case of large-volume portioning chambers, is easy to maintain and clean.

Abstract: A food product coating apparatus has a main conveyor, a coating-material spreading system for spreading coating material across the main conveyor, and a coating-material recirculation system for recirculating excess-coating material spilling out the discharge end of the main conveyor. The recirculation system has at least one transverse collection conveyor and at least one counter-flow return conveyor, both of which like the main conveyor made of solid web material. The coating-material spreading system comprises a first overhead sifting loader near the intake end and a spaced away second overhead sifting loader. A food-product inflow conveyor transfers an inflow of food product to the main conveyor between the first and second loaders.

Abstract: This invention relates to a precision weighing system for transporting or moving portions of dough with a dividing slider (2) in a device for portioning and processing dough, wherein the system has a rotatably mounted, in particular pivotally mounted, first pivoting lever (11), and a rotatably mounted, in particular pivotally mounted, second pivoting lever (12), wherein the second pivoting lever (12) carries an actuating projection (18) for the reciprocating motion of the dividing slider (2), and the first pivoting lever (11) can be pivoted about the pivot bearing thereof by a drive, wherein an air bellows (4) is disposed between the first pivoting lever (11) and the second pivoting lever (12), the volume and/or shape of said air bellows being variable by compressed air admission, and which specifies the distance between the opposing lever arms of the two pivoting levers (11, 12).

Abstract: A food product coating apparatus has a main conveyor, a coating-material spreading system for spreading coating material across the main conveyor, and a coating-material recirculation system for recirculating excess-coating material spilling out the discharge end of the main conveyor. The recirculation system has at least one transverse collection conveyor and at least one counter-flow return conveyor, both of which like the main conveyor made of solid web material. The coating-material spreading system comprises a first overhead sifting loader near the intake end and a spaced away second overhead sifting loader. A food-product inflow conveyor transfers an inflow of food product to the main conveyor between the first and second loaders.

Abstract: A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.

Abstract: A kitchen tool applies texture to gnocchi or gnocchetti. The kitchen tool has a bottom surface defining a plurality of parallel longitudinal ridges. Serrations on the longitudinal ridges help the longitudinal ridges to grip a ball of dough. A cross ridge is generally normal to the longitudinal ridges and depends below the longitudinal ridges. Sides depend below the cross ridge and the longitudinal ridges. The kitchen tool may be a part of a kit that also includes a dry dough mix. A method of using the tool also is provided.

Abstract: A food product press having a mold base, a press assembly having a plurality of press bodies, and blade spaces between the press bodies, a plurality of blades slidable within the blade spaces, and a blade operating mechanism for moving the blades relative to the press bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for scaling dough and method of using the same includes a pair of infeed rollers that provide dough to pair of positive pressure rollers that rotate faster that the rate dough is received. A bed defines a ram chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The bed is adjacent to the pair of positive pressure rollers. Dough is received in the ram chamber through the inlet. A ram disposed in the ram chamber reciprocates therein to compress dough. A rotatable head with a scaling chamber is adjacent the outlet of the ram chamber. The rotation of the head and the reciprocation of the ram are synchronized so that a downward stroke of the ram compress dough received in the ram chamber into the scaling chamber.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method and an apparatus for lapping strip-shaped food dough onto a transporting unit without repeatedly applying tension or relaxation. A method of lapping food dough in which strip-shaped food dough being continuously conveyed is lapped onto the transporting unit configured to transport the food dough in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the food dough.

Abstract: A dough molder 16 including two or more first sheeting rollers 1, 5, which define a dough path to a conveyor 3, two or more second sheeting rollers 6, 7, and an inlet 18 for receiving dough from an operator. A diverter 13 is moveable between a position to allow dough to be fed to the second sheeting rollers or exclusively to the first pair of sheeting rollers.

Abstract: An object is to provide a food dough extending apparatus capable of adjusting a vertical position of an extending roller unit in an obliquely vertical direction in accordance with a thickness of food dough. A food dough apparatus includes an inclined transporting unit 7 inclined and configured to transport to-be-extended food dough 9 upward, a horizontal direction transporting unit 11 configured to transport the food dough 9 transported from the inclined transporting unit 7 in a horizontal direction, and an extending roller unit 13 provided above over an area from an upper end of the inclined transporting unit 7 to the horizontal direction transporting unit 11 and configured to extend the food dough 9. The extending roller unit 13 is vertically adjustable in a direction intersecting an inclination direction of the inclined transporting unit 7 and being upwardly inclined toward the inclined transporting unit 7.

Abstract: A machine for shaping dough pieces from a batch of risen dough placed in a holding pan includes a set of tools that can move between a number of positions for activating different tools for sequentially applying them to the dough, the pan and the set of tools being placed in a relative motion whereby respectively approaching or moving away from one another. The set of tools includes a tool for controlled spreading of the dough inside the pan for rendering its thickness uniform while essentially preserving its initial volume; a tool for shaping/dividing the dough into distinct dough pieces, equipped with partition walls that, between them, define receptacles for the shaping of dough pieces the shape of these partition walls in each receptacle being provided for progressively drawing an upper surface layer of the dough and pushing back the remainder of the dough into said layer.

Abstract: A dough stream blocker (10) is positioned in a dough forming apparatus for selectively opening or blocking the flow of dough through the channels of the assembly that lead to the dough cut off device. Slide valves (34) are rotated to present either a slide valve opening (36) or a slide valve closed body portion (38) that opens or closes the channels.

Abstract: The dough distribution manifold (10) includes a housing (12) with a perimeter wall (14) forming a dough distribution chamber (20). Removable bottom wall (16) and removable top wall (18) are positioned on the perimeter wall. Top wall (18) includes a cover plate (40) and an insert plate (42), with the insert plate having a protrusion (44) that extends into the dough distribution chamber (20), whereby different sized insert plates may be combined with the cover plate to adjust the height of the dough distribution chamber. The perimeter wall (14) is independently supported with respect to said bottom wall (16) and top wall (18) so that the bottom and top walls may be removed while leaving the perimeter wall in place for inspection and cleaning. Valves (56) and dough dividers (34 and 64) are used to direct the movement of dough in equal amounts through the delivery openings (32).

Abstract: A method for preparing bread includes forming a dough billet and providing a frame including a sling of flexible cloth material secured between two cross members, the sling defining an elongate trough sized to receive the dough billet. The dough billet is disposed in the elongate trough such that the dough billet has a predetermined orientation and the dough billet is moved into a cutting station using a conveyor. The dough billet is scored in the sling at the predetermined orientation with an automated cutting station. The dough billet is removed from the elongate trough by raising the dough billet by pressing a contact element against a bottom of the sling and taking the raised dough billet from the frame. The dough billet is also cooked on an oven floor.

Abstract: A dough divider comprises a machine housing (3); a dough collecting container (4) which is mounted on the machine housing (3), receiving dough that is to be metered; a dough delivery arrangement which is connected to the dough collecting container (4), comprising a driven dough delivery piston (15) for the delivery of dough from the dough collecting container (4); and a dough metering arrangement, which comprises a first row of first measuring pistons (40), which are driven for displacement in first piston casings (42), taking dough from the dough delivery arrangement, and at least a second row of second measuring pistons (41), which are driven for displacement in second piston casings (43), taking dough from the dough delivery arrangement, with the first piston casings (42) having a cross-sectional area A1 and the second piston casings (43) having a cross-sectional area A2 so that A1 differs from A2, the dough metering arrangement being displaceable such that dough from the at least one delivery piston (15)

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a dough strand from a preferably large-volume dough mixture (28) has a receptacle (2) for holding this dough mixture, which is provided at the bottom with a discharge opening (4) for the dough. Connected to this discharge opening are two shafts (6) arranged so as to be parallel to one another and driven in opposite directions in order to effect a downward movement of the dough. The shafts (6) are provided with profiles acting on the dough which are formed by star arms (5). The shafts (6) are arranged so as to be fixed and are driven in a timed manner for the rotary movement. The star arms (5), of which there is an even number for each shaft (6), in the position directed towards one another block the downward flow of dough therethrough over the major part of the axial length of the shaft (6).

Abstract: A dough dividing apparatus for dividing dough into substantially equal portions. The dough dividing apparatus includes a bin portion for receiving dough in an interior space of the bin portion. A cylinder is coupled to the bin portion whereby a lumen of the cylinder is in fluid communication with the interior space of the bin portion. A piston assembly is slidably positioned in the lumen of the cylinder. The piston assembly is for drawing dough into the cylinder and extruding dough from the cylinder when the piston assembly is slid in the cylinder. A dividing assembly is coupled to the cylinder for receiving and dividing dough extruded from the cylinder. A driving assembly is operationally coupled to the piston assembly and the dividing assembly for actuating the piston assembly and the dividing assembly.

Abstract: Device for subjecting dough pieces to more than one dough treatment. The device has a number of dough treatment rooms placed above one another. From a supply side dough pieces are supplied to the device, and from a discharge side dough pieces that have been subjected to all dough treatments are discharged from the device. A first leverage apparatus is placed at the supply side and a second leverage apparatus is placed at the discharge side. Each dough treatment room is provided with an introduction opening for introducing dough pieces in the dough treatment room and with a take-out opening for taking dough pieces out of it. A conveyor conveys the dough pieces from the introduction opening to the take-out opening. The introduction opening and the take-out opening of each of the dough treatment rooms are placed near the respective supply side and the respective discharge side of the device.

Abstract: Device for dividing dough provided with a dough funnel, a division slide which slide can move to and fro, a piston for moving dough which piston can move to and fro situated below the division slide, a measuring chamber which can move up and down with at least two measuring spaces for receiving the dough moved by the movable piston which spaces are situated next to each other and separated from each other by a partition. The measuring chamber is movable to a bottom position and has measuring pistons for pushing the dough out of the measuring spaces. Knife for scraping the pieces of dough from the measuring pistons. The device is provided with a number of sprinklers at least being equal to the number of partitions, for sprinkling liquid on parts of the pieces of dough facing each other that are pushed out of the measuring spaces.

Abstract: A device for wiping the surfaces or rotors used to portion mixed materials. The device removes adhering materials, such as cookie dough, from the cutting or metering surfaces. Typical application is for use in large automated bakeries or cookie manufacturers wishing to transport larger slabs or chunks of cookie dough from a mixer to machines which portion the dough prior for baking or freezing. The device has a wiper located proximate to the rotors. The device then moves the wiper along the rotors to release the adhering materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for kneading dough into round pieces is provided. The apparatus includes an inner drum disposed within an outer drum. The inner drum includes an outer periphery on which deepenings are disposed. The deepenings are assigned to the openings of the outer drum. The apparatus also includes a first drive for driving the inner drum in relation to the outer drum such that the deepenings of the inner drum execute a kneading movement in relation to the openings of the outer drum. A support is guided along at least a section of the periphery of the lower half of the outer drum. The support includes a plurality of links interconnected to form an endless chain. The support is spaced apart from at least a portion of the periphery of the outer drum and forms a closed substantially flat surface facing the outer drum. A second drive is included for driving the endless chain such that the plurality of links follow the rotation of the outer drum.

Abstract: Measured quantities of cereal flakes are loaded into suitable forming moulds in which they are subjected to successive pressure pulses spaced by respective periods in which the pressure is released, so as to compact the cereal flakes, producing cereal aggregates in which the tendency to crumble is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A dough transfer hopper and method for partitioning dough pieces having a precise volume from a dough mass is disclosed. The dough transfer hopper includes a hopper assembly having a pair of inwardly angled end walls and a pair of arcuate side walls defining an upper and lower opening. A cutting assembly is operatively disposed within the lower opening and includes a pair of cutters which operate in a counter-rotating manner to partition a dough piece having a precise volume from a dough mass and deposit the dough piece on a horizontal conveyor assembly. The horizontal conveyor transports the dough piece to an inclined conveyor assembly. The inclined conveyor assembly includes a pair of counter-rotating conveyor belts for transporting the dough piece from the horizontal conveyor to a transfer conveyor assembly for further processing.

Abstract: A dough sheeting system having a cutter assembly for pulling and cutting elongated chunks of dough from a hopper containing dough is disclosed. A receiving surface is disposed beneath the cutter assembly. A motor advances the receiving surface in a direction of dough feed. A calendar assembly receives dough output by the receiving surface and outputs a sheet of dough. A level sensor monitors the height of accumulated dough at the input of the calendar assembly and produces a signal when the input exceeds a predetermined level. The motor is responsive to the signal from the level sensor to stop advancing the receiving surface when the level exceeds the predetermined level. A movement sensor monitors the advancement of the receiving surface to actuate the cutter assembly to pull and cut a chunk of dough when the surface has advanced a predetermined distance from the position at which the surface was positioned when a prior chunk of dough was delivered to the surface.

Abstract: A dough portioning machine comprises a metering chamber with a metering piston which is displaceable therein. The metering piston is provided with a degassing channel which is formed in the piston wall and to which a cleaning pin in the cylindrical wall of the metering chamber can be allocated.

Abstract: A dough sheeting system having a cutter assembly for pulling and cutting elongated chunks of dough from a hopper containing dough is disclosed. A receiving surface is disposed beneath the cutter assembly. A motor advances the receiving surface in a direction of dough feed. A calendar assembly receives dough output by the receiving surface and outputs a sheet of dough. A level sensor for monitoring the height of accumulated dough at the input of the calendar assembly and for producing a signal when the input exceeds a predetermined level. The motor is responsive to the signal from the level sensor to stop advancing the receiving surface when the level exceeds the predetermined level and is responsive to the signal when the height is reduced.

Abstract: An extruding apparatus for intermittently supplying a predetermined quantity of highly viscoelastic material, e.g. food material. The apparatus has a hopper having a supply pump, a supply pipe having one end connected to the pump and the other end to an extrusion valve, and an accumulator (constant pressure device) mounted to the extrusion valve for maintaining the pressure of the food material in the extrusion valve at a predetermined constant pressure.

Abstract: An improved dough divider is provided which has a measuring cup assembly for dividing a mass of dough into uniform smaller slugs. The apparatus is adjustable so that size of the dough slugs can be increased or decreased. The dough divider has a piston-cylinder arrangement for supplying a flow of dough. The measuring cup assembly has a cylindrical housing which has a central axis. A plunger aligned on the axis so that it can reciprocate axially within the housing. An elongated stud is threaded through the housing so that the stud is aligned axially with a stem of the plunger. The plunger slides in said housing when dough is pressed against the plunger face, such that the plunger stem can contact the stud to limit the sliding of the plunger.

Abstract: A dough divider is provided having a piston and cylinder mechanism for repeatedly pressing dough into a measuring cup assembly. Dough is drawn from a hopper into the cylinder through a tube. A lubrication port is disposed in the tube, and a channel extends from the port to the cylinder. The port and channel arrangement provide a self-cleaning lubricating arrangement which keeps the dough from sticking.

Abstract: A method of producing a stress free sheet of dough having uniform height and width can be economically and conveniently used with a batch dough system. Individual dough batches are deposited into a retention hopper from which equal volumetric dough portions are sectioned by a pair of oppositely rotating co-acting cutters. Each cutter includes a number of blades which cooperate with corresponding blades on the opposing cutter to section the dough into portions. The dough portions are deposited onto an inclined conveyor positioned below the hopper so that a leading end of each dough portion overlaps a trailing end of the previous dough portion. A photo-electric detection device ascertains the trailing end of the previous dough portion and signals the cutters to section the next successive dough portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of dough, in particular portioning and kneading, has a drum (2) rotatable around a horizontal axis and provided on its periphery with receiving openings (3, 4) for the dough. In these receiving openings the dough is treated, for example by a kneading member. In each receiving opening (3, 4) a piston (43) is guided in radial direction of the drum along a restricted guidance (46) that on its entire is rotatable relative to the drum (2). The restricted guidance consists of at least two members (91, 92) adjustable relative to each other and completing each other effectively to the common restricted guidance (6) and always reliably guiding the pistons (43). By relative adjustment of the two members (91, 92), the treatment conditions on a station can be changed without influencing the other stations FIG. 2.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a stress free sheet of dough having uniform height and width can be economically and conveniently used with a batch dough system. Individual dough batches are deposited into a retention hopper from which equal volumetric dough portions are sectioned by a pair of oppositely rotating co-acting cutters. Each cutter includes a number of blades which cooperate with corresponding blades on the opposing cutter to section the dough into portions. The dough portions are deposited onto an inclined conveyor positioned below the hopper so that a leading end of each dough portion overlaps a trailing end of the previous dough portion. A photo-electric detection device ascertains the trailing end of the previous dough portion and signals the cutters to section the next successive dough portion. The overlapping dough portions are then formed into a dough sheet having uniform height and width by a pressing roller and a combination of side guide wedges and side pressing rollers.

Abstract: Dough (10) should, in a volumetric sense, be measured in dough pieces, which during extended use, must very precisely take place. The improved measuring device can be built in dough dividers and gives, through the specific piston construction (3) with connected parts, an amazing result. In the sidewall of the piston an annular-shaped recess (20) is provided and in which a filter (21) is fitted. To the recess (20) a crosswise channel system (15) with a bore (16) is fitted, which is connected to a flexible suction/press hose (17).

Abstract: A dough divider having a dough chamber and, reciprocating therein, a dough feeding plunger for feeding a batch of dough to a measuring chamber whose volume is adjustable for producing pieces of dough of any desired volume and weight. For the driving of the dough feeding plunger, this is connected to a driving motor through the intermediary of a spring device. To avoid undesired working of the dough in the dough chamber during feeding of the dough to the measuring chamber, the spring device in the dough divider according to the invention is double-acting, and the dough divider is provided with an adjustable abutment which stops the dough feeding plunger as it moves away from the measuring chamber, such that the effective volume of the dough chamber may be adapted to the measuring chamber volume as set. Since the spring device is double-acting, relative motions between the driving motor and the dough feeding plunger can be absorbed by the spring device in both directions of travel of the plunger.

Abstract: Dough processing method and apparatus in which a head machine has a dough divider for producing successive dough pieces, one after the other, and a conveyor for conveying the dough pieces from the dough divider to a subsequent treatment device A first drive motor drives the dough divider and the conveyor. The subsequent treatment device has a transport conveyor with dough cups for receiving the dough pieces from the conveyor of the head machine at a transfer station and for transporting the dough pieces in the subsequent treatment device A second drive motor drives the transport conveyor. A frequency convertor is connected to the first drive motor to control the speed of operation thereof based on a selected frequency from the frequency convertor.

Abstract: A machine for dividing dough in which a dough supply unit delivers dough under pressure at an outlet end into dividing chambers of a rotatable carrier, the carrier having double measurement pistons in the dividing chambers for selectively delivering larger and smaller dough masses for a given stroke of the pistons. Each of the measurement pistons can be manually adjusted from outside the machine to be placed into first and second operational states in which, for a given stroke of the measurement piston respective larger and smaller volumes of dough mass are discharged from the machine. Each measurement piston includes an external piston slidable in a respective dividing chamber and an internal piston slidable in the external piston and the pistons are coupled for conjoint movement in the first operational state whereas in the second operational state, the external piston is fixed in the dividing chamber and the internal piston is slidable in the external piston.

Abstract: A device for dosing a plastic, perishable mass into moulds has a pressing chamber for receiving a dose of the mass from a feed vessel and a piston operable in the chamber to push and compress the dose into a mould. The device includes a valve for shutting off feed of the mass from the feed vessel and is particularly constructed to avoid spaces into which the mass can collect and spoil, while preventing reentry of the mass from the pressing chamber into the feed vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing crisp, long term preservation, small loaves on an industrial scale including a forming machine having a feeder assembly, a molding station and a forming station laid sequentially to each other. The feeder assembly includes a plurality of parallel, sequentially-laid driven roll pairs, a gap between corresponding roll pairs decreasing in width from the most upstream roll pair to the most downstream roll pair. The molding station includes first and second counter rotating driven rolls, the first roll having a plurality of mold cavities uniformly distributed across its skirt, and the second roll having a smooth surface skirt, the rolls being mounted in pressure contact with each other. The forming station includes a folder device.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantatively extruding food material is provided. In this apparatus the material is introduced into a space formed between the periphery of a drum and the side wall of a housing. The space is divided into sections defined by flanges, and thus the material is divided into portions and introduced into each section. The drum has an inner chamber between its inner wall and the periphery of a cam. Blades are inserted into slits in the drum periphery, and adjacent pairs of blades form compartments in the sections in the outside of the drum as well as in the inner chamber.The apparatus has a plurality of exit ports communicating with the respective sections. Since the dimensions of the compartments in each section decrease toward the exit ports, while the dimensions of the compartment in the inner chamber increased, the pressure in the outer compartments becomes higher than that of the inner chamber.

Abstract: An extrudate cutting apparatus including a generally cylindrically shaped shaping die having an upper surface and a lower surface with an eccentrically positioned opening extending therebetween. The opening releasably receives an orifice fitting for permitting extrudate to pass from the fitting through the opening. A generally tubular housing rotatably receives the shaping die therein. A nozzle knife is integral with the housing and is in facing relation with the lower shaping die surface. The knife includes an aperture for allowing extrudate passing from the orifice fitting to pass therethrough unimpeded when the aperture and the shaping die opening are in registry.

Abstract: A molding and portioning apparatus is intended primarily for processing formable food products into individual portions of uniform shape, size and weight, while doubling output. The apparatus includes first and second spaced hoppers which receive a supply of a food product under a predetermined pressure, and discharge the product through a plurality of outlet openings formed therein. A plurality of pistons are slideably mounted within a plurality of cylinders which communicate with the hoppers and are aligned with and opposite of the outlet openings. Each piston is independently pneumatically biased in the direction of the hoppers under a certain pressure which is less than the predetermined pressure of the product, for generally equalizing the pressure applied to the product at each of the outlet openings.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a dough strip of substantially uniform dimensions is disclosed. The method is carried out in an apparatus (2) comprising a hopper (4) having a divider (8) at its bottom, a conveyor (10) with a weighing device (12), a transfer conveyor (13), a thickness defining device (24) mounted on the transfer conveyor (13) and width defining members (26) between the transfer conveyor (13) and the thickness defining device (24). Dough portions supplied from the hopper (4) are weighed and supplied onto the transfer conveyor (13) one after another. By regulating the width and thickness of each dough portion, the length of the dough portion is made proportional to its weight. A new dough portion is supplied onto the transfer conveyor when the conveyor has conveyed the preceding dough portion a distance proportional to the weight thereof.

Abstract: The invention regards a universal machine for making cakes in usual bakeries all the way from a finished dough to baking. The machine extrudes soft or thick dough, makes portions and forms cakes for arranging on baking plates and baking, and extrudes cream and jam and similar materials. The machine is also suitable for making licorice, confectionery and any kind of forming and making portions of viscous, extrudable materials. The machine includes automatic measurement of thickness and control of thickness of the dough-cake by use of a photocell, and the photocell is fitted with runners, scale of measurement and patterns of thickness, so that the thickness of each cake is measured and cut independently. The machine is fitted with automatic measurement of frequency and control of frequency of cakes, relying upon the control of thickness. The machine has many cylinders utilizing the automatic control of thickness.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus includes a rotary shell having plural circumferential rows of extrusion orifices and a stationary inner member, forming in cooperation with the shell recesses communicating with the orifices, and metering pump for supplying icing to individual passageways formed in the stationary member, so that precisely metered amounts of icing are extruded through the extrusion orifices, the icing then being cut off by a stationary member which located at a bottom portion of the rotary shell for deposit onto biscuits traveling upon a conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantitatively extruding food material is provided. In this apparatus the material is introduced into the space formed between the periphery of a drum and the side wall of a housing. The drum has an inner chamber between its inner wall and the periphery of a cam. A pair of blades is inserted into slits formed on the drum form a compartment in the outside of the drum and a compartment in the inner chamber.Since the dimensions of the space in the compartment outside of the drum decrease towards the exit port, while the space of the inner chamber increases, the pressure in the space becomes much higher than that of the inner chamber. Thus the air in the material is drawn out of the outer compartment into the inner chamber via a path formed between the recess on the trailing surface of the blade and the wall of the slit. As a result material of a uniform quantity and density, and that has no air entrainment, is extruded from the exit port.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing and metering a granular and sticky mass, in particular a mass to be moulded into biscuits. The apparatus comprises a main conveyor device comprising juxtaposed parallel screws of alternate pitch and direction of rotation, which are sub-divided into groups of at least one pair of screws, a main motor and main transmission means comprising one clutch per group of screws, hoppers which are juxtaposed below the downstream end of the main conveyor device in a ratio of one hopper per group of screws and, beneath each hopper, a distribution column comprising an inlet, a holding chamber and an outlet, the said inlet being provided with a device for measuring the level of filling which is electronically connected to a control device for controlling the clutch of the said group of screws.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing, dividing and kneading pieces of dough, the apparatus being adapted to be installed in a continuous and automatic dough processing plant, the pressure plate, dividing knives and dough holder ring being combined to form a unitary processing head which receives a revolving kneading movement while a kneading belt having kneading recesses remains stationary with respect to the processing head. The kneading belt conveys the undivided pieces of dough into the pressing, dividing and kneading zone and also conveys the discrete pieces of dough out of the same.

Abstract: A dispenser of products having a varying degree of viscosity includes a longitudinal and hollow body of circular cross-section, upon which there is mounted a funnel. The hollow body contains in a rear part thereof a piston which is arranged to push forward an assembly of movable elements including a cross-piece, a piston, a sleeve and a resilient split ring, so as to expel a product dose through a cone formed with holes and loosely lined in the interior thereof with an elastic membrane. The movable elements are returned to their initial position by the force of a spring. The cone is extended by a pouring spout, which in turn carries a tube provided with a distributor cone.

Abstract: A dough delivery or divider assembly having a plurality of ports integrally formed in a cylindrical dispensing structure and incorporating an external pressurizing structure wherein a negative pressure or vacuum is applied to the interior of each of the ports from an exterior location relative to the cylindrical surface in which the ports are formed. The vacuum is maintained within the ports until they are exposed to the supply dough within a supply hopper wherein the negative pressure aids forcing of the dough into the ports for transportation to a delivery site at which location the dough portions are removed from the ports.