Device (10) for treating products (100), in particular bakery products, comprising: at least one treating unit (40), comprising at least one storage belt (41) and arranged to process the products (100); at least one dispensing unit (50), comprising at least one storage belt (51) and arranged to dispense the products (100); at least one operating device (20), arranged to transport the products (100); wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30); wherein the operating belt (21) is arranged to store the products (100); wherein the coupling device (30) is arranged to couple the operating belt (21) with a storage belt (41, 51) in order to exchange the products (100) with the coupled storage belt (41, 51), and wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30).

wherein the coupling device (30) comprises at least one drive unit (23) which is arranged to drive at least one storage belt (41, 51) coupled to the operating device (20).

The efficiency of a device for cooling or heating objects on a belt that moves through a path of a helix, in which gaseous cooling or heating medium is circulated within the device, is improved by positioning fans that circulate the cooling or heating medium so that the fans are distanced from the top of the helix.

Conveyor ovens for cooking food according to various embodiments include variable speed fans to deliver air from a plenum into at least two lower cooking zones below a conveyor of the oven, and at least one variable speed fan to deliver air from the plenum into one or more upper cooking zones above the conveyor, wherein a controller operates the fans delivering air into the lower cooking zones independently of each other and independently of the other fan. The fans can be controlled so that air delivered to a bottom side of the conveyor has a speed that is different in the different lower cooking zones and/or is different than air delivered to the top side of the conveyor. In some cases, the speed of the fans is predetermined and set in accordance with the type of food to be cooked.

Conveyor ovens for cooking food according to various embodiments include variable speed fans to deliver air from a plenum into at least two lower cooking zones below a conveyor of the oven, and at least one variable speed fan to deliver air from the plenum into one or more upper cooking zones above the conveyor, wherein a controller operates the fans delivering air into the lower cooking zones independently of each other and independently of the other fan. The fans can be controlled so that air delivered to a bottom side of the conveyor has a speed that is different in the different lower cooking zones and/or is different than air delivered to the top side of the conveyor. In some cases, the speed of the fans is predetermined and set in accordance with the type of food to be cooked.

A vehicle-based, automated pizza-making system including a two-piece pizza pan conveyed between pizza-making components on a series of pan drive rails. The two-piece pizza pan can include a base and a removable ring for containing the unfinished pizza and toppings. The rails can include timing belts for conveying the two-piece pizza pan through the system with improved positional control and accuracy.

A vehicle-based, automated pizza-making system including a two-piece pizza pan conveyed between pizza-making components on a series of pan drive rails. The two-piece pizza pan can include a base and a removable ring for containing the unfinished pizza and toppings. The rails can include timing belts for conveying the two-piece pizza pan through the system with improved positional control and accuracy.

A conveyorized baking system having improved dust shield support. The system includes including a conveyor track, a conveyor chain that moves through the conveyor track, flanged support struts attached to the conveyor chain, and dust shields supported by the flanged support struts for preventing dust and debris from entering the conveyor track.

An automated pizza oven assembly includes an oven that has an entry and an exit. A conveyor extends through the entry and the exit, and a pizza is positionable on the conveyor. The conveyor transports the pizza through the oven to cook the pizza. A cutting unit is coupled to and extends away from the oven such that the cutting unit is positioned above the conveyor. The cutting unit includes a plurality of blades and each of the blades radiating outwardly from a central point of the cutting unit. The blades are urged downwardly onto the pizza when the cutting unit is turned on to cut the pizza into a plurality of slices. A control unit is coupled to the oven and the control unit is in communication with the heating element in the oven, the conveyor and the cutting unit. The control unit controls operational parameters of the heating element, the conveyor and the cutting unit.

An automated pizza oven assembly includes an oven that has an entry and an exit. A conveyor extends through the entry and the exit, and a pizza is positionable on the conveyor. The conveyor transports the pizza through the oven to cook the pizza. A cutting unit is coupled to and extends away from the oven such that the cutting unit is positioned above the conveyor. The cutting unit includes a plurality of blades and each of the blades radiating outwardly from a central point of the cutting unit. The blades are urged downwardly onto the pizza when the cutting unit is turned on to cut the pizza into a plurality of slices. A control unit is coupled to the oven and the control unit is in communication with the heating element in the oven, the conveyor and the cutting unit. The control unit controls operational parameters of the heating element, the conveyor and the cutting unit.

A system and method to control the power supplied to heating elements of a conveyor oven. The conveyor oven includes a plurality of heating elements to evenly distribute heat in an oven compartment. During peak-loads, the current draw of the heating elements may exceed available power of a power supply. Therefore, a system and method to reduce the total current draw of the plurality of heating elements is provided. The system includes a controller configured to perform the methods disclosed herein. The methods effectively lower the total current draw by rapidly cycling a plurality of relays connected to each of the plurality of heating elements to achieve even distribution of heat and reduced current draw during peak-loads.