US 4,534,726 AGranted

Apparatus having shims underlying portions of a die

AssigneeNabisco Brands, Inc.

InventorWilliam J. Simelunas

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Abstract

An apparatus acts upon an extrudate rope to form individual elements of predetermined size and shape which are separated from one another by a predetermined space. A die is used having a predetermined shape with indentations therein to press the extrudate rope against a support at predetermined locations. A conveyor belt is used to carry the extrudate rope in one direction, and the die is supported such that during the pressing operation the die forward speed matches the extrudate rope forward speed. A supporting table underlies the conveyor belt. At least two shims are placed under the conveyor belt on either side of the path of the extrudate rope and underlying the path of the die so that portions of the extrudate rope which are pressed beneath the die are forced from under the die toward the indentations formed in the die so as to minimize waste of portions of the extrudate rope.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An apparatus for producing separate pieces from an extrudate rope, comprising:

a die having a generally flat lower surface;
a means for driving the die in a cyclic operation having an upstroke and a downstroke, in which, at some point in the cycle, the die travels with a downward velocity as well as a forward velocity;
a means for conveying an extrudate rope under said generally flat surface of said die said forward velocity being in the direction of conveyor movement;
and shims underlying predetermined portions of said die;
said means for conveying overlying said shims;
and a support underlying said means for conveying and said shims;
said die having opposed pairs of indentations formed therein;
said indentations opening into said lower surface of said die;
said opposing pairs of indentations lying generally in a straight line along a forward direction of travel of the extrudate rope;
and said shims underlie predetermined portions of said die between said indentations, so that during the downstroke, extrudate between said shims is forced toward said indentations;
whereby, the die moves downward against the extrudate rope to separate the extrudate rope into pieces, the lower surface of the die and the shims having dough forced therebetween toward areas where no shims are present, thereby minimizing scrap loss;
and whereby during a downstroke, the die forms a trailing edge of a leading piece as well as a leading edge of a trailing piece.

9 more elements

An apparatus for producing separate pieces from an extrudate rope, comprising:

a die having a generally flat lower surface;
a means for driving the die in a cyclic operation having an upstroke and a downstroke, in which the die travels with a downward velocity as well as a forward velocity;
a flexible belt means for conveying an extrudate rope under said generally flat surface of said die said forward velocity being in the direction of conveyor movement;
said shims underlying predetermined portions of said die;
said means for conveying overlying said shims;
and a support underlying said means for conveying and said shims;
said die having at least one indentation therein for forming pieces from an extrudate rope;
said at least one indentation opening into said lower surface of said die;
said shims underlie predetermined portions of said die adjacent said at least one indentation, so that during the downstroke, extrudate between said shims is forced toward said indentations;
said shims being thin strips having generally parallel top and bottom surfaces having a generally uniform a predetermined thickness;
said shims each having a vertical edge adjacent said at least one indentation such that generally no portion of said shims directly underlies said at least one indentation;
said vertical edge of each of said shims being disposed generally parallel to and on either side of the path of travel of the extrudate rope;
whereby when the die moves downward against the extrudate rope to separate the extrudate rope into pieces, the lower surface of the die having said at least one indentation therein and the shims forcing dough between vertical edges of said shims toward areas on said flexible belt means for conveying directly beneath said at least one indentation where no shims directly underlie said at least one indentation, thereby minimizing scrap loss caused by spreading of the extrudate rope by said die during formation of pieces by said at least one indentation.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.