Abstract: Cannelloni is prepared by, initially, forming and blanching a longitudinally extending pasta strand and then cutting the strand into a plurality of longitudinally-extending strips positioned side-by-side. Each strip is passed in a direction of its longitudinal extent to and by a roller having a configuration of a curved surface so that it is contacted by the roller surface to curve the strip so that the curved strip has an upper concave curved surface and a lower convex curved surface, the curved strip is transported on a conveyor belt so that the convex surface is carried by the belt, a filling is deposited onto the concave surface and the curved strip is formed, in particular, by passing the curved strip and filling through a ring positioned above the belt, into a tube for enclosing the filling and so that the strip overlaps, and then, the tube is cut into tubular pieces.

Abstract: A method of making blocks of pasta filata cheese, by laminating ribbons of cheese to a desired thickness, and cutting the ribbons to length. A plastic ribbon of hot, pasta filata cheese is extruded onto a conveyor. While on the conveyor, the ribbon is chilled by either brine, cold water, or super chilled air. Heat is removed from the ribbon, only until the ribbon has set up, and is self supporting. The set up ribbon is stacked on other ribbon while the ribbon is being transported. The stacked ribbons laminate at the ribbon to ribbon contact surfaces. Lengths of the laminated ribbon are cut into blocks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a substantially dry edible flavor fiber product by admixing water, a powdered flavor, a binder and fiber together and extruding the resulting mixture. The process can be carried out by first admixing a powdered flavor material with a fiber to form a flavor-fiber and mixture, then the flavor-fiber mixture is introduced into an extruder where water is simultaneously introduced and the resulting composition, containing water, fiber and flavor is extruded to form a product. The flavor fiber product can be an instant beverage, such as chocolate.

Abstract: A thickness control system for a high speed tortilla sheeting machine automatically adjusts a pinch point gap between a pair of sheeting rollers to maintain a generally uniform thickness of the produced "masa" (i.e., corn dough) sheet. The control system includes a pair of sensors, a controller, and a pair of actuators. The sensors continuously monitor the distance to the surface of a produced masa sheet. The controller derives from the sensor output signal a measurement of the thickness of the produced masa sheet, and compares this measurement to a preset thickness. The controller then directs one or more of the actuators to change the distance between the two sheeting rollers of the tortilla sheeting machine as necessary to produce a masa sheet at the desired preset thickness.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process as well as an apparatus for the production of elongated pasta products, particularly lasagna, wherein the pasta products are formed via a pasta production apparatus in parallel lines, positioned on drying rods, dried and upon solidification, cut into packaging lengths and packed for consumer use. After cutting, the lasagna are moved, in series, via slides, and stacked in portions, of predeterminable numbers, at a conveyor. The conveyor preferably takes the form of a ring-type conveyor for the serial packaging of these portions, whereby inspections, additions and exact weight determination of these portions can be accomplished.

Abstract: Sheet products having a waved marginal portion are prepared by passing a sheet of a plastic material through and compressing the sheet between shaped circumferential rollers which are positioned and configured to provide therebetween a plurality of differing nip clearance gap distances and to compress the sheet to form an intermediate sheet portion flanked by a marginal waved flanking portion and a second flanking portion, wherein the intermediate portion has a thickness greater than the second portion which, in turn, has a thickness greater than the marginal waved portion.

Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a spinner head having upper and lower spinner elements spaced apart at least by about 1/2 inch and defining with a spacer a common sugar chamber operatively communicating with each spinner element. Sugar from the common chamber is directed to each element where it is heated and issues from the head in molten form. Upper and lower apertures of the apparatus are at least about 7/8 inch from respective apertures in other spinner element. The number of same size servings for the same initial amount of sugar is substantially increased over prior heads with elements or apertures not so spaced apart, while energy requirements are at the same time substantially decreased. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of producing a texturized protein product having a layered meat-like texture and appearance in which only vegetable protein material, particularly soy flour, and water are used as ingredients. A dough-like slurry of soy flour and water is pumped into the gap between a fixed plate and a rapidly rotating plate in a high speed emulsion mill under conditions which rapidly heat the slurry to a temperature above 100.degree. C. to rapidly texturize the protein. The hot slurry is pumped under positive pressure by centrifugal force from the emulsion mill directly into an elongated process tube in which the texturized protein slurry rapidly coagulates to form in the tube a continuous loaf having distinct parallel layers of soy protein bonded together which maintains its structure upon discharge from the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning materials, such as saccharides and non-saccharides, is provided. The apparatus includes a spinner head which is rotatable about an axis. The spinner head includes a heating element which defines a narrow, elongate opening extending about the axis of rotation. The heating element defines an annular wall of the chamber against which material is propelled when the spinner head is rotated. The opening provides a substantially non-tortuous path in which the material is subjected to flash flow and then projected from the chamber into a basin. A helical heating cable may be used as the heating element and to provide a substantially continuous spiral opening of uniform height. The gaps between turns of the heating coil may be determined by comb-like elements which engage and maintain the turns in selected positions.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for pressing and drying long pasta, an alternative to hanging is provided wherein the dough strands are first introduced into a drying climate immediately after the goods are discharged from the die. The dough strands are guided directly into the drying means from the extrusion die as long "strings" in a continuous manner and are then cut to packaging length. It is possible for only the initial drying to be operated in this way, particularly to heat up the goods and, e.g., hang them on rods while hot, and then to carry out the final drying in a manner known per se, e.g. by portions. The goods can be dried intensively at previously unaccustomed temperatures of 90.degree. C. to 120.degree. C., particularly during final drying, to a moisture content of 15% to less than 13%.

Abstract: A gelled sheet of food product is prepared by passing a wet dough of edible substance, such as meat or meat by-product, having food value and comprising a gellable substance, such as sodium alginate, onto a rotating roller to form a sheet and initiating gelation of the gellable material, for example, in the case of sodium alginate, by spraying the material with calcium ions. The sheet can subsequently be processed, for example by being folded and cut to form chunks, which may be useful in a petfood product.

Abstract: A process for producing biscuits comprises forming a dough into generally laminar portions each having a corrugated configuration and baking the portions to form biscuits. The corrugated configuration is such that the resistance to breaking of the biscuits is greater in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the corrugations extend than in the direction in which the corrugations extend by a factor of at least 1.5. In a preferred process, dough is formed into a sheet 1b having a corrugated configuration (preferably by feeding a flat sheet of dough to a pair of corrugated rollers 6). Individual portions are cut out from the corrugated sheet 1b and baked to form the biscuits.

Abstract: A stream of dough passes from a metering pump (16) or (17) into the dough distribution manifold. The incoming stream of dough is sliced by the sharpened knife edge (64) of the divider knives (51) to form a pair of diverging streams of dough. Each diverging stream of dough is confronted with a second pair of divider knives (52) and (53), where a similar dividing function occurs. The positions of the knives are adjustable by external knobs (75) so as to balance the diverging streams of dough. The dough streams pass directly, in a line of sight, from the inlet openings (43) to the outlets (44A-44H), thereby avoiding the movement of dough about bends, turns, protrusions and obstructions which would deteriorate the gluten structure of the dough.

Abstract: A controlled melting point matrix is disclosed. The matrix is formed by admixing low melting point hydrophobic materials with a substantially amorphous material obtained from subjecting a feedstock to conditions of temperature and pressure which induce flash flow of the feedstock. The admixture is then subjected to conditions which induce at least partial crystallization of the substantially amorphous material thereby capturing the hydrophobic material and providing the controlled melting point matrix of the invention. Methods of producing a controlled melting point matrix are disclosed. Methods of using controlled melting point matrices to form improved comestibles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulated hard cooked egg-yolk composition, shaped egg-yolks, eggs comprising such egg-yolks, as well as methods for making the same, by utilizing colored pureed egg-white, of preferably increased solids, along with a grain preserving agent. This invention also encompasses food products containing one or more of the above simulated entities.

Abstract: An apparatus (79) for setting the nip gap between first and second rollers (30, 32) includes nip control blocks (83) movably mounted adjacent the front edges (150) of the end plates (151a, 151b) between which one of the rollers (32) is journaled. In the preferred form, each of the control blocks (83) are threadably received on a shaft (138) and include a slide surface (142) which slides on a shoe (134) mounted on the end plates (151a, 151b) and include an opposite, abutment surface (144) at a minor acute angle to the slide surface (142) and the movement direction of the control blocks (83). Contact surfaces (164) are articulately mounted to the end plates (51a, 51b) between which the other of the rollers (30) is journaled. In the preferred form, the contact surfaces (164) are formed on a thrust knuckle (160) having a semi-spherical surface (162) slideably received in a semi-spherical depression (156) of a thrust socket (154) secured in a recess (146) in the front edges (150) of the end plates (51a, 51b).

Abstract: A granular food product is prepared by mixing a molten fat with an amylaceous material, extruding the mixture in strands, cooling the strands and then subdividing them into sections and projecting the sections through a grill to size-reduce the sections into granules.

Abstract: A non-spread, sliced peanut butter product containing chunky peanut butter, powdered egg white, flour, and an emulsifier. The ingredients are mixed together, pressed or extruded into sheets which are separated by waxed paper into pieces the size of a bread slice and about 0.2 inches thick.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously producing a stress free sheet of dough. The dry ingredients are measured and mixed on a continuous basis and the liquid ingredients are injected into the stream of dry ingredients. The ingredients are then transferred to a temperature controlled kneading chamber which generates a continuous stream of dough. The dough stream is discharged from the kneading chamber without benefit of rollers or stress inducing apparatus through a discharge conduit of predetermined flow resistance. The resulting stress free continuous stream of dough has a well developed and undamaged gluten network producing a high quality dough product.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing sections of cotton candy, and synchronously presenting them to the packaging machinery. The apparatus includes an extruder for melting and extruding sugar. The resulting sugar strands are moved onto a belt conveyor, forming a continuous bundle. A cutting blade is slidable, by an actuator, in a direction transverse to the belt conveyor, for cutting the bundle into sections of predetermined length. A paddle conveyor is positioned to receive the cut sections from the first conveyor. A control switch, activated by the passage of the paddles, is provided for controlling the actuation of the cutting blade. The switch is movable to various positions with respect to the paddle conveyor. The position of the switch with respect to the paddle conveyor determines the position of the sections on the paddle conveyor, thus aiding in the synchronization of the cut sections with the packaging machine.

Abstract: A rolled food item is fabricated by advancing food (14) and a sheet of support material (16) between the rollers (18, 20) of a strip sheeter (12) where the food (14) fills grooves (24) of the first roller (18) to deposit the food (14) in continuous strips on the support material (16). After passing through a cooling tunnel (58), the support material (16) is also cut into strips between the strips of food (14) in a first cutting section (62). The multiplicity of strips are then cut to lengths in a second cutting section (64). Labels (68) are secured to the trailing ends of the strips and the trailing ends of the strips are pressed by a label presser (70) to adhere the labels (68) to the strips. The strips are simultaneously rolled in a roll-up section (74) including a rotatable fork (76). Specifically, after the leading ends of the strips are inserted between the legs (78, 80) of the fork (76), the fork (76) is rotated to roll the strips on the fork (76).

Abstract: A layered food product is made by extruding an aerated ice composition into a vertically descending helix rotating about a vertical axis and having spaced flights which define passages therebetween in the helix, spraying a second fat-based water-based or sugar-containing composition into passages of the extruded helix, and depositing the sprayed helix so that a layered food product having alternating layers of aerated ice composition and second composition is formed.

Abstract: A process to produce different kinds of pastries in which an extruder forms regular discs of dough with a controlled thickness and diameter by etruding dough through a central opening of a lower circular plate which is heated and to which an upper plate descends to an adjustable distance. For producing samoosas thin discs of dough are formed which are partly cooked at one side, stacked and further pressurized and heated. Each disc is cut into four quarters in which triangles are inscribed with their top on the middle of the circular side of each quarter. Filling material is charged in the middle of each triangle whereupon the four quarters are simultaneously folded into triangles, firstly along the sides and then along the bottom by using three hinged plates, one set for each quarter to be folded. For producing filled tortillas the partly cooked disc of dough is filled and rolled by a rolling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for production of 0.1-3 mm uniformly thick farinaceous dough sheets, comprising rollers (52, 53, 54), wedge-like sealer (56), inlet (55) and outlet (58). Positive hydrostatic pressure is maintained by adjusting the gap between adjacent rollers and/or the rotational speed of the rollers. For production of 2 sheets of dough simultaneously, a pair of rollers with a wedge-like sealer between them may be put adjacent and below rollers (52, 53).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying a uniform strip of bread dough is provided in which a dough mass flows downward from a dough hopper, a dough portion of the flowing dough mass is laterally spread on an outlet conveyor having a weighing table, dough portions are cut and divided from the dough mass into dough pieces when a predetermined degree of the spread of the dough mass is detected by a dough-detecting device, simultaneously the weight of the dough piece is measured, the dough piece is then transferred from the outlet conveyor to a supply conveyor, the divided dough pieces are arranged on the supply conveyor at intervals proportionate to the weights of the dough pieces, and they are stretched to make a strip of bread dough. It has a uniform width and thickness, and is uniform in weight throughout the entire part of the strip of bread dough. Therefore, dough products cut and formed from this strip of bread dough are of a high quality.

Abstract: Dough (20) is delivered in a stream through inlet conduit (29) to dough distribution chamber (60) of manifold (10). A spike (52) pierces the oncoming dough stream, and the dough flares radially into an annulus, past adjustable deflectors (42a-42f), and the dough is sliced by dough divider sharps (62) to separate the dough into individual streams of dough that move through delivery conduits (30a-30f). The velocity of dough moving through each delivery conduit (30a-30f) is controlled by the adjustable deflectors (42a-42f) which are positioned at the perimeter of the dough distribution chamber (60).

Abstract: A food depositing apparatus for depositing hash brown potato strands includes a plurality of depositing assemblies. Each of the depositing assemblies includes a plurality of outlets. A pump member coupled to the inlets of the depositing assemblies provides pressure to force a potato slurry through the outlets of the depositing assemblies. A plurality of rotary valve components are positioned adjacent the outlets of the depositing assemblies. Each rotary valve component includes a plurality of wiper blades which correspond to the outlets. Each wiper blade has a first state that permits the potato slurry to be forced through the corresponding outlets and a second state that stops the flow of potato slurry to create a hash brown potato strand. A conveyor positioned beneath the outlets carries the formed hash brown potato strands to a drier. The drier dehydrates the formed hash brown potato strands.

Abstract: An improved method of combining active ingredients with polyvinyl acetate for use in chewing gum results in significantly less degradation of the active ingredients. After the polyvinyl acetate and one or more active ingredients have been mixed together in an extruder, the mixture is extruded through a die to form a sheet-like extrudate. The sheet like extrudate is then cooled using a series of three chilled compression rolls. The extrudate is pinched between adjacent chilled compression rolls and both surfaces of the extrudate maintain contact with at least one of the chilled compression rolls for a period of time. The extrudate is thereby cooled swiftly and thoroughly, resulting in reduced degradation of the active ingredients.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed for simultaneously forming two dough sheets from a single cooker extruder (12), with the dough sheets each being formed by a plurality of dough ropes which are guided by guide posts (44) at equally spaced intervals on a conveyor (16) for passing between the pressing rollers (42) of a sheeting device (18). Specifically, the die (24) attached to the die head (20) of the cooker extruder (12) includes a roof-shaped extension formed by first and second die plates (26) interconnected by their front edges at an obtuse angle. Top and bottom pates (28) are interconnected to the top and bottom edges of the die plates (26). The back edges of the die plates (26) and of the top and bottom plates (28) are interconnected to an annular connection plate (30) which is attached to the die head (20) by bolts (34) passing through counterbored bores (32) in the connection plate (30) and threaded into the die head (20).

Abstract: A method of controlling the weight of cut pieces of dough is disclosed. The method includes determining a target mass loading of a strip of dough, measuring the actual mass loading, comparing the actual and target mass loading values, calculating a calendar roller gap distance which compensates for the rheological properties of the dough and adjusting the gap distance of the last calendar roller pair to equalize the actual and target mass loading values.

Abstract: A rolled food item is fabricated by advancing food (14) and a sheet of support material (16) between the rollers (18, 20) of a strip sheeter (12) where the food (14) fills grooves (24) of the first roller (18) to deposit the food (14) in continuous strips on the support material (16). After passing through a cooling tunnel (58), the support material (16) is also cut into strips between the strips of food (14) in a first cutting section (62). The multiplicity of strips are then cut to lengths in a second cutting section (64). Labels (68) are secured to the trailing ends of the strips and the trailing ends of the strips are pressed by a label presser (70) to adhere the labels (68) to the strips. The strips are simultaneously rolled in a roll-up section (74) including a rotatable fork (76). Specifically, after the leading ends of the strips are inserted between the legs (78, 80) of the fork (76), the fork (76) is rotated to roll the strips on the fork (76).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a continuous belt-like sheet of bread dough. The apparatus includes a dough hopper, vertical conveyors mounted on the facing side walls of the hopper, a dough outlet provided at the bottom of the hopper, and a pair of discharging rolls constituting part of the dough outlet, facing each other, and which are rotated so as to downwardly pass the bread dough passing therebetween. The width of the outlet and the peripheral speed of the discharging rolls are controllable so that a high-quality sheet of bread dough is continuously produced, while the gel structure of the dough is maintained uninjured.

Abstract: An apparatus for co-extruding inner and outer bulk food products into a tubular product, such as a tamale. The device has an inner housing mounted concentrically in the outer housing. A piston locates in the inner housing. An annular piston locates in the outer housing in a clearance between the outer housing and the inner housing. An actuator will push the piston simultaneously forward. Outlet ports on the forward end of each housing cause the two food products to co-extrude as a composite product.

Abstract: Gradual release structures for the release of active agents in chewing gum and a process for making such structures are provided. The gradual release structures are formed by extrusion techniques and comprise an active agent and a wall material.

Abstract: This invention is related to fibrous fish or shellfish neriseihin product comprising a plurality of fibrous fish or shellfish filaments, each of which includes protein linearly aligned and coupled together over the entire length of said product and a thin surface layer having a smooth tactile impression covering said filaments, and a method of manufacturing the fibrous fish or shellfish neriseihin product using a twin screw extruder with at least one elongated cooling zone and a feed pump provided between the extruder and the cooling zone.

Abstract: A freeze wheel is provided with an outer skin on which a food or other type product is placed to be frozen. A chamber is formed adjacent the outer skin and a plurality of nozzles project into the chamber for directing a refrigerant onto the inner surface of the skin. The refrigerant flow is controlled to provide a uniform flow pattern along the inner surface to strip away a boundary layer of fluid and maximize heat transfer across the outer skin. The nozzles are arranged in a series of concentric rings with the nozzles in alternate rows lying in common radial planes. An interior portion of the wheel is closed off by one or more doors which may be opened to allow cleaning of the wheel.

Abstract: A food forming method comprising forcing a food material through a die of a forming apparatus to form said food material into any one of a linear product, a sheet, a pipe or tube and a ring, wherein a zone external to said die is evacuated to a reduced pressure so that said food material is drawn out by suction.A food forming apparatus that carries out the method is also disclosed, which comprises a food extrusion zone to an extrusion end of which a die having an orifice shaped corresponding to the shape of a final food product is fitted, and a suction chamber which encloses the outside of said die and whose inside is evacuated to a reduced pressure by a vacuum means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for stretching and thinning dough. This apparatus consists of a plurality of conveyors 2,3, which are disposed in series so that the traveling speed of the downstream conveyor 3 is higher than that of the upstream conveyor 2, a roller 5 that reciprocates over a given distance 1.sub.2 transverse to the traveling direction of the dough, while reciprocating over a given distance 1.sub.1 in the traveling direction, and a roller 4 that reciprocates over a given distance 1.sub.1 in the traveling direction in synchronism with the transverse roller. The number of reciprocating strokes and the speed of both rollers are regulated to obtain a sheet of high quality dough with a uniform texture.

Abstract: Gradual release structures for the release of active agents in chewing gum and a process for making such structures are provided. The gradual release structures are formed by extrusion techniques through slot dies and comprise an active agent and a wall material.

Abstract: Edible products having a lattice structure are made by extruding an edible material into discrete arrays of discrete, essentially parallel, filaments, depositing a first array on a support, and superimposing a second array atop the first array so that the filaments of the first and second arrays are positioned at an angle.

Abstract: A dough-stretching roller apparatus is provided to produce a continuous web of dough in a process to manufacture confectionery and bread. The apparatus includes a pair of upper rollers and a pair of lower rollers, a sensor means that measures the width of the dough that contacts the lower rollers, and a controller that controls a motor driving the upper rollers in response to a signal from the sensor means. The controller increases the rotational speed of the upper rollers when the sensors detect that the width of dough is less than a preset width while the controller decreases the rotational speed of the upper rollers when the sensors detect that the width of the dough is greater than the preset width. Thus, even if the quantity of dough supplied from a hopper is unstable, the stable production of a stretched web of dough having a constant volume over its length can be continued.

Abstract: A dough-stretching roller apparatus is provided to produce a continuous web of dough in a process to manufacture confectionery and bread. The apparatus includes a pair of upper rollers, a sensor means that detects the width of dough at the gap between the upper rollers, and a controller that controls a motor driving the upper rollers in response to a signal from the sensor means. The controller decreases the rotational speed of the upper rollers when the sensors detect that the width of dough is broader than a predetermined width of dough passing through the upper rollers, while the controller increases the rotational speed of the upper rollers when the sensors detect that the width of dough is narrower than the predetermined width of the dough passing through the upper rollers. Thus, even if the amount of dough supplied from a hopper is unstable, production of a stretched web of dough having a constant volume per unit length can be stably continued.

Abstract: A method is provided of controlling the quality of dough during its processing, in which the physical properties of portions of a dough strip being continuously fed are automatically and continuously measured, to obtain the specific weight calculated from the dimensional and weight data, of each of the portions of the dough strip, so that the dimensional data and specific weight can be used for processing the dough mass and for formulating raw materials for the next lot to be produced, and in which method, based on the obtained specific weight, the thickness of a dough piece having a uniform top surface area to be stamped out by a puncher is automatically calculated by a computer and an additional stretching system adjusts the thickness of the dough strip, so that the weight of a stamped-out dough piece is automatically made uniform during the operation.

Abstract: Koalas are natives of Australia and are one of the few mammals whose diet consists almost exclusively of the leaves of native eucalypt trees. The present invention provides a method of preparing a feedstuff for koalas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for producing a continuous belt-like sheet of bread dough. The apparatus consists of a dough hopper, vertical conveyors mounted on the facing side walls of the hopper, a dough outlet provided at the bottom of the hopper, and a pair of discharging rolls constituting part of the dough outlet, facing each other, and which are rotated so as to downwardly pass the bread dough passing therebetween. The width of the outlet and the peripherial speed of the discharging rolls are controllable so that a high-quality sheet of bread dough is continuously produced, while the gel structure of the dough is maintained uninjured.

Abstract: A method for producing a dough sheet having a predetermined width and height from a dough mass of a non-uniform volume, comprising the steps of compressing the mass on a supplying conveyor, detecting any change of width of the compressed dough sheet, driving a delivery conveyor provided downstream of the supplying conveyor at a constant speed, while changing the speed of the supplying conveyor, and, further, stretching the dough sheet on the delivery conveyor, the supplying conveyor being driven based on the data of any detected change in the dough width. Apparatuses are provided to carry out the above method.

Abstract: A process for preparing a proteinaceous food product comprises passing a wet dough of a mammalian and/or avian meat protein, at least part of which is functionally inert protein, between a pair of oppositely rotating rollers to form a sheet of said food product. The functionally inert protein may have been cooked or otherwise treated to impart to the protein one or more characteristics of cooked protein and/or may comprise inert scleroprotein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching dough is provided, by which bread dough or confectionery dough is continuously and smoothly stretched by linearly reciprocating a roller over the surface of dough which is continuously conveyed by a series of conveyors, while the roller is rotated by a drive means, and by which method and apparatus the dough can be smoothly stretched without the accumulation of the dough in front of the entrance of the apparatus, thereby obtaining the desired thickness of dough in one operation from the continuously supplied dough material.

Abstract: A process for shaping a fish-paste product and an apparatus therefor. The process comprises moving a fish-paste sheet in its length direction, curling the sheet obliquely to the sheet-moving direction with one lateral edge of the sheet as a core to form a rolled-up article, pulling the resulting rolled-up body in a direction parallel to the sheet-moving direction around a rolling post installed outside of the opposite lateral edge line of the sheet, and subjecting the rolled-up article to further processing.

Abstract: A dough ball conveyor loader apparatus includes a flat conveyor belt supported horizontally and a loading unit positioned above the belt. The loading unit positions each of a series of dough balls on the belt. The loading unit also forms a flat on each of the dough balls against the flat belt to prevent movement of the dough balls upon movement of the belt.