Multi-row dough slitting apparatus

An apparatus for slitting the upper surfaces of a plurality of essentially parallel rows of proofed dough pieces on a conveyor conveying the rows of proofed dough pieces in a predetermined direction, the combination comprising a frame mounted adjacent to said conveyor and extending thereover and including a support member extending across said conveyor and disposed thereabove, a plurality of spray nozzles each including a mounting block adjustably pivotally mounting the associated nozzle for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a first axis extending substantially parallel to the path of associated rows of proofed dough pieces along the conveyor, each of said mounting blocks being adjustably pivotally mounted on said support member for pivotal movement about a second substantially horizontal axis disposed essentially normal to said first axis, each of said nozzles being in general vertical alignment with the longitudinal midline of the path of the associated row of proofed dough pieces, a supply of fluid connected to each of said nozzles and sprayable thereby in a stream upon the upper surfaces of the proofed dough pieces disposed therebelow to cut through the skins of the proofed dough pieces exposing the interiors thereof without cutting completely therethrough, each of said nozzles being adjustable about the associated first axis and the associated second axis so as accurately to impinge the stream of fluid therefrom at the desired point on the upper surfaces of the associated row of proofed dough pieces, each of said nozzles including an air valve controlling the issuance of the fluid stream therefrom and each air valve being connected to an air line having a control valve therein, and sensing mechanism for sensing the arrival of the rows of proofed dough pieces below said nozzles and for sensing the termination of the rows of proofed dough pieces below said nozzles, said control valve being responsive to said sensing mechanism to actuate said air valves to cause said nozzles to spray a stream of fluid therefrom upon the skin of the proofed dough pieces as they arrive beneath the associated nozzles, thereby continuously to cut through the skins of the rows of proofed dough pieces passing under said nozzles.