Methods for handling masa

A method for separating a stream of masa utilizing a pair of aligned, opposed separator conveyors having facing surfaces, the longitudinal ends of the separator conveyors positioned adjacent to a nozzle connected to a masa producing device, the method of separating the masa stream comprising the steps of:

• moving the facing surfaces of the separator conveyors at equal speed away from the nozzle;
• feeding a generally continuous masa stream through the nozzle such that the masa contacts at least one of the facing surfaces of the separator conveyors and is guided between the facing surfaces of the separator conveyors;
• and
• gripping the masa stream between both facing surfaces of the separator conveyors, pulling the masa stream such that the masa stream is separated into masa logs.

A method of feeding masa to masa hopper within a food processing system, the food processing system further having a masa producing device and at least two masa hoppers, the masa hoppers and the masa producing device connected by at least two endless belt feed conveyors having upper surfaces moving in the same direction, the feed conveyors positioned in an upstream and downstream relationship relative to each other, each masa hopper having an associated sensor for sensing the level of mass and an opening positioned below a diverter gate positioned between the feed conveyors, each diverter gate connected to an associated mechanism and pivotable between an open position, where the masa is guided from the upstream feed conveyor to the downstream conveyor, and a closed position, where the masa is guided into the masa hopper, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving masa logs, previously separated from a stream of masa produced from the masa producing device, along the upper surfaces of the feed conveyors;
• sensing the level of masa within an associated masa hopper;
• causing a signal to change its state when the level of masa within the masa hopper is below a predetermined level;
• and
• selectively opening and closing the diverter gate to control the flow of masa logs to the masa hopper in response to said change in signal.

A method for feeding masa to a pair of aligned, opposed sheeter rollers, the sheeter rollers located adjacent to a masa hopper having an opening for receiving masa and side walls and a bottom wall defining a slot, the masa hopper also having at least one shaft above the bottom wall, each shaft having projections, the method comprising the steps of:

• placing the masa through the opening in the masa hopper;
• feeding the masa to at least one shaft;
• rotating the shaft;
• removing gas bubbles from the masa with the projections on at least one shaft;
• and
• forcing the masa through the slot, toward the sheeter rollers, with the projections on at least one shaft.