A material processing system includes an oven that cooks or bakes, with electrical resistance, dough contained within containers. The oven can include a frame defining, devices mounted, in a preselected pattern, on the frame for a reciprocal movement in a vertical direction during use of the system, each device configured to connect voltage to a respective container so as to cook or bake the dough with the electrical resistance, and one or more powered members configured to move the devices in the vertical direction. Conveyors are also provided to convey a plurality of rows of containers with a plurality of containers in each row along a material conveyance path, the conveyors disposed in a series with each other and with the oven along the material conveyance path, one of the conveyors disposed within the oven so as to position a batch of the containers in an alignment with the devices.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A device for producing baked products, in particular edible crisp wafers or soft waffles, contains at least one baking plate, the baking surface of which can be heated to a baking temperature. The baking plate has a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the baking plate and/or a pressure acting on the baking surface of the baking plate during the baking process.

A device for producing baked products, in particular edible crisp wafers or soft waffles, contains at least one baking plate, the baking surface of which can be heated to a baking temperature. The baking plate has a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the baking plate and/or a pressure acting on the baking surface of the baking plate during the baking process.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.

An automatic baking machine includes a loading unit having a plurality of carriers on a first conveyor configured for receipt of individual goods to be baked. A downstream oven unit has a transportation device to transport the goods received from the loading unit through the oven unit. A delivery unit is arranged downstream from the oven unit and includes a second conveyor with a plurality of carriers for receipt of baked goods from the transportation device. A vertically stationary linear conveyor is arranged between the first conveyor and the transportation device, wherein the goods to be baked are transferred from the first conveyor to the linear conveyor, conveyed by the linear conveyor in a vertically fixed plane, and transferred from the linear conveyor to the transportation device.

An automatic baking machine includes a loading unit having a plurality of carriers on a first conveyor configured for receipt of individual goods to be baked. A downstream oven unit has a transportation device to transport the goods received from the loading unit through the oven unit. A delivery unit is arranged downstream from the oven unit and includes a second conveyor with a plurality of carriers for receipt of baked goods from the transportation device. A vertically stationary linear conveyor is arranged between the first conveyor and the transportation device, wherein the goods to be baked are transferred from the first conveyor to the linear conveyor, conveyed by the linear conveyor in a vertically fixed plane, and transferred from the linear conveyor to the transportation device.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a platform that is configured to be disposed in an oven in a horizontal orientation. Multiple receptacles, each configured to receive a food item, can be positioned above the platform. The receptacles can be coupled to and driven by a chain, cable, belt, or other suitable mechanism parallel to and disposed below the platform. The chain, cable, belt, etc. can mesh with sprockets, pulleys, etc. coupled to a plurality of axels such that the chain, cable, belt, etc. can move the receptacles in a closed loop.