This pinching-shaping device includes cylindrical tools, each having a central axis of tool rotation, the central axes being parallel and the outer peripheries of the tools applied tangentially against one another to pinch-shape a strand tangentially introduced between the tools during rotation. The outer periphery of each tool has radially projecting blades distributed around the central axis, each providing a pinching surface. The pinching surface extends between first and second ends inclined to the central axis. The blades of each tool are distributed following the outer periphery, alternating inclination. When a blade of the first tool is radially interposed between the two tools during the rotation, it is radially aligned with one of the blades of the second tool, the pinching surface inclined in a complementary manner to the pinching surface of first tool's blade, pinching the strand between pinching surfaces of these two aligned blades.

A taco shell is produced using a rotary cutter including a shaft, an outer blade extending radially outward from the shaft and a first inner blade extending radially outward from the shaft. The outer blade defines an interior area, enclosed by the outer blade, and an exterior area. The first inner blade is located in the interior area and includes a plurality of teeth. A dough piece is cut from a dough sheet with the outer blade, and a first arcuate line of depressions is created in the dough piece with the plurality of teeth. The dough piece is folded to form a shaped dough piece, and the shaped dough piece is baked to produce a hard taco shell.

A taco shell is produced using a rotary cutter including a shaft, an outer blade extending radially outward from the shaft and a first inner blade extending radially outward from the shaft. The outer blade defines an interior area, enclosed by the outer blade, and an exterior area. The first inner blade is located in the interior area and includes a plurality of teeth. A dough piece is cut from a dough sheet with the outer blade, and a first arcuate line of depressions is created in the dough piece with the plurality of teeth. The dough piece is folded to form a shaped dough piece, and the shaped dough piece is baked to produce a hard taco shell.

A cutting tool for an apparatus for cutting a sheet of dough, the cutting tool comprising: a support member having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and a plurality of cutting elements supported by the support member, each cutting element comprising a cutting edge extending away from the support member and defining a closed shape, wherein the cutting edges of adjacent cutting elements meet to define discrete cavities between the cutting edges of adjacent cutting elements; and wherein each of the discrete cavities is in communication with at least one of the apertures in the support member to define a waste dough extraction path.

A cutting tool for an apparatus for cutting a sheet of dough, the cutting tool comprising: a support member having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; and a plurality of cutting elements supported by the support member, each cutting element comprising a cutting edge extending away from the support member and defining a closed shape, wherein the cutting edges of adjacent cutting elements meet to define discrete cavities between the cutting edges of adjacent cutting elements; and wherein each of the discrete cavities is in communication with at least one of the apertures in the support member to define a waste dough extraction path.

A machine for making filled pasta products and which comprises a first feeding device for feeding a first layer of pasta dough and a second feeding device for feeding a second layer of pasta dough; a shaping device for shaping the filled pasta products, located downstream of the first and second feeding devices, with reference to the direction of unrolling the first and second layers of pasta dough; the shaping device includes a first and a second advancing and shaping roller for advancing and shaping the first and the second layer, respectively, each including a respective supporting roller having on its peripheral surface respective moulds for shaping the respective first and second layers of dough and each configured to be assembled to and disassembled from the respective supporting roller.

A machine for making filled pasta products and which comprises a first feeding device for feeding a first layer of pasta dough and a second feeding device for feeding a second layer of pasta dough; a shaping device for shaping the filled pasta products, located downstream of the first and second feeding devices, with reference to the direction of unrolling the first and second layers of pasta dough; the shaping device includes a first and a second advancing and shaping roller for advancing and shaping the first and the second layer, respectively, each including a respective supporting roller having on its peripheral surface respective moulds for shaping the respective first and second layers of dough and each configured to be assembled to and disassembled from the respective supporting roller.

An apparatus includes a cutting surface that contains at least one cutting element having a top. The cutting element also has an interior sidewall extending from the cutting surface to the top with an interior sidewall angle, an exterior sidewall extending from the cutting surface to the top with an exterior sidewall angle and a shoulder provided on the interior sidewall between the base and the top. The interior sidewall angle is different than the exterior sidewall angle.

An apparatus includes a cutting surface that contains at least one cutting element having a top. The cutting element also has an interior sidewall extending from the cutting surface to the top with an interior sidewall angle, an exterior sidewall extending from the cutting surface to the top with an exterior sidewall angle and a shoulder provided on the interior sidewall between the base and the top. The interior sidewall angle is different than the exterior sidewall angle.

A compact motorized tortilla forming machine utilizing rollers for forming a mass of dough or masa into a flat circular configuration prior to cooking or baking that is of a compact size, having a 2′×2′ footprint and can easily fit on and be supported on a countertop or table. The machine includes a roller assembly, a forwardly extending conveyor near its bottom end, a drive motor having a drive sprocket connected with an electrical power source through a relay coupled with a limit switch that provides overload protection, a cover member having an on-off switch, a start button, and an emergency stop button mounted thereon and connected in a circuit between the power source and the drive motor, and an exhaust fan mounted inside of the cover member and connected in a circuit between the power source and the drive motor. A top lid and a rear door are maintained normally closed by magnetic latches and limit switches and when opened, the limit switches prevent electrical current from flowing to the motor.