An automated production system is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an automated system for the continuous production of baked bread. The system can include a priming assembly having a dry ingredients priming unit and a wet ingredients priming unit. The dry ingredients priming unit can include a vertically-oriented hopper and a screw positioned within an interior region of the hopper, wherein the first screw extends along the central longitudinal axis of the hopper and is configured to rotate about its own central longitudinal axis. The system can also include a mixing assembly, a forming assembly, an oven, and a controller. The controller can be coupled to the priming assembly and configured to adjust the amount of dry ingredients delivered from the hopper to the mixing chamber by controlling rotation of the screw.

An automated production system is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an automated system for the continuous production of baked bread. The system can include a priming assembly having a dry ingredients priming unit and a wet ingredients priming unit. The dry ingredients priming unit can include a vertically-oriented hopper and a screw positioned within an interior region of the hopper, wherein the first screw extends along the central longitudinal axis of the hopper and is configured to rotate about its own central longitudinal axis. The system can also include a mixing assembly, a forming assembly, an oven, and a controller. The controller can be coupled to the priming assembly and configured to adjust the amount of dry ingredients delivered from the hopper to the mixing chamber by controlling rotation of the screw.

A bread conveying apparatus for conveying bread, includes a conveyor device that has a container on which the bread is placed, and that conveys the container in a conveying direction; a guide member disposed on a downstream end portion side of the conveyor device in the conveying direction to releasably support the bread in cooperation with the container; and a chute member that discharges the bread conveyed by the conveyor device.

A bread conveying apparatus for conveying bread, includes a conveyor device that has a container on which the bread is placed, and that conveys the container in a conveying direction; a guide member disposed on a downstream end portion side of the conveyor device in the conveying direction to releasably support the bread in cooperation with the container; and a chute member that discharges the bread conveyed by the conveyor device.

A method and arrangement is provided for setting a peak operating power level for an oven having an oven compartment, a user interface, and a controller having a memory with a maximum peak operating power level stored therein. The method includes the steps of displaying an oven set-up user interface window on the user interface during an initial start-up of the oven; in response to an input for selecting a maximum output for the oven, displaying a maximum output user interface window on the user interface. Further, after input of a peak operating power level, the method stores the peak operating power level in the memory and selectively provides a power control signal to generate heat that corresponds to the peak operating power level. The oven is either an electric oven or gas oven. In operation, the oven heats at the peak operating power level, which is less than the maximum peak operating power level.

A method and arrangement is provided for setting a peak operating power level for an oven having an oven compartment, a user interface, and a controller having a memory with a maximum peak operating power level stored therein. The method includes the steps of displaying an oven set-up user interface window on the user interface during an initial start-up of the oven; in response to an input for selecting a maximum output for the oven, displaying a maximum output user interface window on the user interface. Further, after input of a peak operating power level, the method stores the peak operating power level in the memory and selectively provides a power control signal to generate heat that corresponds to the peak operating power level. The oven is either an electric oven or gas oven. In operation, the oven heats at the peak operating power level, which is less than the maximum peak operating power level.

The device for transporting support plates for bakery products includes supporting angle brackets on which rest the edges of plates, and a driving device cooperative with the brackets on both sides of a vertical median plane. The driving device includes at least one chain forming a close-loop circuit so as to define an ascending column and a descending column of supporting means and, at least one connecting support hinged about a horizontal axis of at least one angle bracket. There is a device for holding and guiding the angle brackets in a horizontal plane in a transfer portion from the ascending column to the descending column and a conveyer extending at least under the ascending and descending columns between the driving device.

A continuous bar conveyor includes a plurality of bars, constrained at their ends by chains having links adapted to be engaged by motorized toothed wheels, so as to move the conveyor along fixed guides, and a plurality of spirals wrapping the bars in pairs, the links of the chains and the spirals limiting the maximum distance between adjacent bars, but also allowing their reciprocal movement, wherein, between adjacent successions of at least two bars wrapped by a spiral, there is at least one bar that is not wrapped by spirals, and to which a sheet of plastic material is constrained, having an elevated resistance to the operating temperature of the conveyor and a smooth, non-stick surface, the sheet resting on the upper surface defined by the spirals and having a dimension in the advancing direction of the conveyor smaller than the distance between successive bars not wrapped by spirals.

A continuous bar conveyor includes a plurality of bars, constrained at their ends by chains having links adapted to be engaged by motorized toothed wheels, so as to move the conveyor along fixed guides, and a plurality of spirals wrapping the bars in pairs, the links of the chains and the spirals limiting the maximum distance between adjacent bars, but also allowing their reciprocal movement, wherein, between adjacent successions of at least two bars wrapped by a spiral, there is at least one bar that is not wrapped by spirals, and to which a sheet of plastic material is constrained, having an elevated resistance to the operating temperature of the conveyor and a smooth, non-stick surface, the sheet resting on the upper surface defined by the spirals and having a dimension in the advancing direction of the conveyor smaller than the distance between successive bars not wrapped by spirals.

A seal system and method for a bolted track such as a baking system conveyor track. The seal system provides a seal between a pair of track pieces being coupled end-to-end to one another. The seal system includes flanges attached near the ends of the track pieces and a gasket compressed between the flanges when the track pieces are coupled to form a seal. In example embodiments, the gasket is attached to a track plate. The track plate is coupled between the flanges and is configured to shield the gasket from heat and direct flame. The seal system optionally also includes a joint cover affixed to the bottom of the coupled flanges to form a secondary seal.