# US 2021/0274793 A1 · Self-Clearing Dough Ball Loader > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0274793 A1 - Document ID: US20210274793A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/813,521 - Filed: 2020-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: Lawrence Equipment, Inc. - Applicants: Lawrence Equipment Inc. - Inventors: Eric Clay Lawrence - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210274793A1 ## CPC - A21C 9/085: {Separating, spacing, orienting or aligning discrete dough pieces, e.g. after passing a cutting device} - A21C 9/083: {Manipulating tins, pans etc., e.g. charging or discharging conveyors, trolleys or ovens} - A21C 11/006: {by pressing or press-moulding (A21C11/008 takes precedence)} - A21C: MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; HANDLING BAKED ARTICLES MADE FROM DOUGH ## Abstract A comestible processing machine including a loader plate comprising a plurality of spaced apart openings passing through the loader plate, a first flattener and a second flattener pivotably attached to the loader plate at each of the openings, a sensor configured to detect a comestible disposed within one or more of the plurality of openings, and an actuator coupled to the loader plate and configured to assist in removal of the comestible from the one or more of the plurality of openings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A comestible processing machine, comprising: a loader plate comprising a plurality of spaced apart openings passing through the loader plate; a first flattener and a second flattener pivotably attached to the loader plate at each of the openings; a sensor configured to detect a comestible disposed within one or more of the plurality of openings; and an actuator coupled to the loader plate and configured to assist in removal of the comestible from the one or more of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a laser detector configured to detect a laser beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an image sensing device configured to capture an image of the one or more plurality of openings in the loader plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the loader plate to assist in removal of the comestible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to vibrate the loader plate to assist in removal of the comestible. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot one of the first and second flatteners to assist in removal of the comestible. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a discharge conveyor configured to discharge the comestible from the comestible processing machine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The comestible processing machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to stop one or more components of the comestible processing machine when the sensor detects the comestible disposed within one or more of the plurality of openings. ### Claim 9 A comestible processing machine, comprising: a frame; a conveyor belt supported on the frame; a loader plate movably coupled to the frame and movable relative to the conveyor belt; a loading tube aligned over an opening in the loader plate; a flattener pivotably attached to the loader plate adjacent to the opening; a sensor for detecting a comestible disposed within the opening; and an actuator coupled to the loader plate and configured to assist in removal of the comestible from within the opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The comestible processing machine of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the flattener to assist in the removal of the comestible. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The comestible processing machine of claim 9, wherein the actuator is configured to move the loader plate to assist in the removal of the comestible from the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The comestible processing machine of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a laser detector configured to detect a laser beam. ### Claim 13 A method for sensing and removing a comestible from a comestible processing machine, comprising the steps of: pivoting a pair of opposing flatteners into a closed position; transporting the comestible through a tube, onto upper surfaces of the opposing pair of flatteners, with the opposing flatteners in the closed position; pivoting the opposing flatteners in mutually opposite directions into an open position, with the comestible supported on the upper surfaces, and thereby creating an opening between the opposing flatteners through which the comestible may pass; pivoting the opposing flatteners to return them to the closed position; sensing whether a comestible is present in the opening and pivoting the opposing flatteners in mutually opposite directions into the open position; and removing the comestible from the opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein removing the comestible from the opening comprises actuating a loader plate of the comestible processing machine. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein actuating the loader plate comprises moving the loader plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein actuating the loader plate comprises vibrating the loader plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein sensing the comestible comprises one of detecting whether a laser beam is received by a laser beam detector, detecting whether a laser beam is obstructed, detecting the comestible using an image capturing device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein removing the comestible from the opening comprises injecting air into the opening. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising discharging the comestible from the comestible processing machine after removing the comestible from the opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising stopping a component of the comestible processing machine upon sensing a comestible is present in the opening.