Method of using and cleaning a dough transport device

Abstract

The present invention provides a dough transport device having an improved dough pump, an improved manifold for dividing dough, and a rotational cutter for cutting dough into pieces of uniform shape and size. The present invention also provides a method of using and cleaning a dough transport device. The method includes the steps of transporting dough from a hopper, through a tunnel having a funnel shape opening with a predetermined taper, to a manifold outlet nozzle using a tapered auger; allowing degassing of the dough to occur during the transporting step by having gas escape from the funnel shape opening in the tunnel via a small hole formed therein, which hole is connected to a degassing and cleaning pipe assembly having an open end from which gas escapes; cleaning the dough transport device when the transport of the dough is complete by connecting a water source to the open end of the degassing and cleaning pipe assembly, and pumping water from the water source through the funnel shape opening in the tunnel to the manifold outlet nozzle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.