Apparatus and method for transforming a multiple layered bed of pieces into a thinner layer

A method of conveying and transforming a multiple layered bed of relatively thin, fragile pieces of farinaceous dough into a substantially thinner layer comprising:

• positioning said pieces of dough in a multiple layered bed;
• conveying the multiple layered bed having a leading edge in a first direction on a first conveyor;
• contacting the leading edge of said bed of pieces on said first conveyor with a second conveyor overlying said first conveyor and moving at speed at least about ten times greater than the speed of said first conveyor and in the same direction as the movement of said first conveyor, the line of contact between said second conveyor and the leading edge of said bed being at an acute angle with respect to the discharge end of said first conveyor, said leading edge being adjacent the discharge end of said first conveyor, in which said contact of the leading edge of said bed is made by flexible projections on said second conveyor;
• removing from along substantially the entire length of said leading edge pieces of said multiple layered bed;
• and
• discharging said pieces removed from said leading edge at the discharge end of said first conveyor as a substantially thinner layer than said bed while maintaining said pieces removed, before and during movement from said multiple layered bed to said thinner layer, substantially unbroken.

A method of conveying and transforming a multiple layered bed of relatively thin, fragile pieces of farinaceous dough into a substantially thinner layer comprising:

• positioning said pieces of farinaceous dough material in a multiple layered bed;
• conveying the multiple layered bed in a first direction on a first conveyor;
• contacting the leading edge of said bed of farinaceous dough pieces on said first conveyor with a second conveyor overlying said first conveyor and moving at a substantially greater speed than the speed of said first conveyor and in the same direction as the movement of said first conveyor, the line of contact between said second conveyor and the leading edge of said bed being at an acute angle with respect to the discharge end of said first conveyor, said leading edge being adjacent the discharge end of said first conveyor, and said second conveyor having a plurality of flexible projections extending outwardly therefrom for making said contact with the leading edge of said bed;
• removing from along substantially the entire length of said leading edge farinaceous dough pieces of said multilayered bed;
• and
• discharging said farinaceous dough pieces removed from said leading edge at the discharge end of said first conveyor as a substantially thinner layer having less than about one-tenth the height of said bed while maintaining said farinaceous dough pieces before and during movement from said multilayered bed to said thinner layer, substantially unbroken.

Apparatus for conveying and transforming a multiple layered bed of relatively thin pieces of farinaceous dough into a substantially thinner layer, wherein said bed has at least a leading edge, comprising:

• (a) a first endless belt conveyor for holding said bed of dough pieces and moving said bed in a direction at a first speed, said first conveyor further including a discharge end;
• (b) a second endless belt conveyor overlying said first conveyor at an acute angle thereto, said second conveyor having a lower end adjacent said discharge end of said first conveyor;
• (c) said second conveyor having flexible fingers extending therefrom for contacting said dough pieces on the leading edge;
• and
• (d) drive means for moving said second conveyor in substantially the same direction as said first conveyor and at a speed substantially greater than that of said first conveyor, with said flexible fingers being adapted for engaging said leading edge to remove said dough pieces from along substantially the entire length of said leading edge of said multiple layered bed, and moving said removed pieces through said discharge end to form a substantially thinner layer than in said bed while maintaining at least a majority of said dough pieces, before and during movement from said multiple layered bed to said thinner layer, substantially unbroken.