# US 2010/0166905 A1 · Moulding Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166905 A1 - Document ID: US20100166905A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/063,378 - Filed: 2006-05-24 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2005-08-10 - Assignees: Moffat Pty Limited - Inventors: Paul Eaton Willett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166905A1 ## CPC - B03C 3/09: characterised by presence of stationary flat electrodes arranged with their flat surfaces at right angles to the gas stream - B03C 3/08: characterised by presence of stationary flat electrodes arranged with their flat surfaces parallel to the gas stream - B03C 3/366: {located in the filter, e.g. special shape of the electrodes} - B03C 3/76: by using a mechanical vibrator, e.g. rapping gear {; by using impact} - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) ## Abstract An apparatus for moulding and proving dough, including a pair of sheet rollers for providing a dough strip to a dough moulder, a means for engaging and disengaging a retractable dough divider, the retractable dough divider when engaged separates the dough into dough portions as its exits the dough moulder and a prover for recovering the dough portions. Also disclosed is a dough moulder for a strip of dough including a conveyor having a first run spaced below a curling mat to curl the dough strip; the curling mat resting on at least the first run of the conveyor, the curling mat having a raised section which does not contact the first run. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for moulding and proving dough including at least one pair of sheeting rollers for providing a dough strip to a dough moulder of a required thickness; a dough moulder for rolling the dough strip; a means for engaging and disengaging a retractable dough divider, the retractable dough divider when engaged, separating dough into dough portions as it exits the dough moulder; and a prover for recovering the dough portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for engaging and disengaging the retractable dough divider is an actuator which positions or removes the retractable dough divider in the path of the dough. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the retractable dough divider separates the dough into dough portions while it is on the dough moulder, the dough portions then exiting the dough moulder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a conduit for delivering the dough portions to at least one tray of a prover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a dough diverter for delivering dough portions to the prover when the retractable dough dividers are engaged. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the dough diverter collects undivided dough when the retractable dough dividers are disengaged. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dough moulder includes dough conveyor for receiving the dough strip from the sheeting rollers, the dough conveyor having a first run in contact with a curling mat, the dough strip passing beneath the curling mat to roll the dough strip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the curling mat is provided with a raised portion which does not contact the first run. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the curling mat is a chain linked sheet supported at one or both ends. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the raised section of the curling mat has a beginning edge and an end edge, the raised section being supported above the first run at the beginning and end edges. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further including a guide on either side of the curling mat to retain the curling mat in position relative to the first run, the guide being provided with a support positioned beneath the curling mat at the beginning and end edges to support the raised section above the first run. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the curling mat has an entry section where dough strips placed on the first run pass beneath the curling mat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the raised section of the curling mat does not extend to the entry section of the curling mat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the dough moulder further includes a second run and a pressure board for controlling the diameter of the rolled dough piece from the first run. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the exit end of the pressure board is provided with the dough dividers for separating the dough into a plurality of dough portions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prover includes a plurality of trays carried on a tray conveyor, the tray conveyor describing a closed circuit delivering the dough portions to a roll rounder after a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the closed circuit raises the dough portions to a height above a roll rounder before feeding or dropping the dough portions into the roll rounder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the actuator pivots the retractable dough dividers into the path of the dough on the pressure board. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 further including a diverter, the diverter being insertable into the path of the dough at the exit end of the pressure board, the insertion of the diverter into the path of the dough blocking passage of the dough to the prover. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19 wherein insertion of the diverter causes the dough divider to disengage out of the path of the dough. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the moulder and prover are within a single housing, the prover receiving separated dough portions below the moulder and conveying trays containing the dough portions up to a cross conveyor which feeds the dough portions to a dough rounder. ### Claim 22 A dough moulder for a strip of dough including a conveyor having a first run spaced below a curling mat to curl the dough strip; the curling mat resting on at least the first run of the conveyor, the curling mat having a raised section which does not contact the first run. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the curling mat is a chain linked sheet supported at one or both ends. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the raised section of the curling mat has a beginning edge and an end edge, the raised section being supported above the first run at the beginning and end edges. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24 further including a guide on either side of the curling mat to retain the curling mat in position relative to the first run, the guide being provided with a support positioned beneath the curling mat at the beginning and end edges to support the raised section above the first run. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the curling mat has an entry section where dough strips placed on the first run pass beneath the curling mat. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the raised section of the curling mat does not extend to the entry section of the curling mat.