A method for dispensing a mixture to a forming line includes using a hopper to produce individual batches that are fed to the forming line. A given amount of mixture is uploaded in succession, and the hopper is actuated so as to produce from the aforesaid given amount of mixture a maximum number of batches less than or equal to four.

A method for dispensing a mixture to a forming line includes using a hopper to produce individual batches that are fed to the forming line. A given amount of mixture is uploaded in succession, and the hopper is actuated so as to produce from the aforesaid given amount of mixture a maximum number of batches less than or equal to four.

An illumination and visualization device is provided along with a method of illuminating and visualizing and a formulation for an enhanced visualization (EV) coating for a baking pan or similar implement. The EV coating having a fluorescent component that shows the condition of the coating and any interfering materials that can adhere to the pan during use. The method and device for illumination and visualization can have a conveyance device which moves baked goods pans. The pans are illuminated with a known energy source or light. As noted, the EV coating having been applied as, for instance but not limited to, a release or non-adhesion coating layer reacts with and re-emits or reflects energy when subjected to certain incident energy forms or frequencies in the form of, for instance, light. The device can then provide an image of the pan and highlight any variations in the light re-emitted by the coating which can indicate wear on the coating or, in another non-limiting example, the presence of baked on debris.

An illumination and visualization device is provided along with a method of illuminating and visualizing and a formulation for an enhanced visualization (EV) coating for a baking pan or similar implement. The EV coating having a fluorescent component that shows the condition of the coating and any interfering materials that can adhere to the pan during use. The method and device for illumination and visualization can have a conveyance device which moves baked goods pans. The pans are illuminated with a known energy source or light. As noted, the EV coating having been applied as, for instance but not limited to, a release or non-adhesion coating layer reacts with and re-emits or reflects energy when subjected to certain incident energy forms or frequencies in the form of, for instance, light. The device can then provide an image of the pan and highlight any variations in the light re-emitted by the coating which can indicate wear on the coating or, in another non-limiting example, the presence of baked on debris.

A device acts to take mixed dough or semi viscous material and feed this material uniformly and progressively to portioning machines that may not have capacity to hold a full batch from the mixer or require to be fed at a required rate so as to maintain a reasonably uniform or stable height or reserve amount of dough in there infeed hopper of dough portioning machine. The device providing two or more selectable output feeds in operation, providing for easy cleaning through detachable components, and compensating in the output feed variable for variations in the volume of dough in the tote.

A dough handling apparatus has a conveyor device for dough having a conveying chamber arranged between a dough inlet and a dough outlet, and a conveyor screw arranged in the conveying chamber; a supply container having an outlet opening for supplying dough to the conveyor device, wherein, in an operative position, the outlet opening connects to the dough inlet of the conveyor device, wherein the supply container is pivotable from the operative position into a pivoted-away position; and a helical feed device, wherein the helical feed device is releasably mounted in an upper part of the dough inlet of the conveyor device, wherein a first end of the helical feed device extends into the supply container, and a second end of the helical feed device extends toward the conveyor screw, wherein the second end is arranged near an outer circumference of the conveyor screw.

A dough handling apparatus has a conveyor device for dough having a conveying chamber arranged between a dough inlet and a dough outlet, and a conveyor screw arranged in the conveying chamber; a supply container having an outlet opening for supplying dough to the conveyor device, wherein, in an operative position, the outlet opening connects to the dough inlet of the conveyor device, wherein the supply container is pivotable from the operative position into a pivoted-away position; and a helical feed device, wherein the helical feed device is releasably mounted in an upper part of the dough inlet of the conveyor device, wherein a first end of the helical feed device extends into the supply container, and a second end of the helical feed device extends toward the conveyor screw, wherein the second end is arranged near an outer circumference of the conveyor screw.

The disclosure provides a particle separator for removing aerosolized particles from exhaust emissions from a preconditioner or other apparatus. The separator comprises an enclosure with at least two baffles linearly spaced from one another therein. At least two baffles prevent the exhaust from linearly flowing directly from an inlet through the separator to an outlet. Each baffle is positioned at an angle relative to the linear flow of exhaust into the separator and a distance from an inner surface of the separator. This places a leading edge within the exhaust flow to redirect a portion of the flow, thereby promoting impact of particles on a portion of the inner surface of the separator, while also providing a surface that collects particles in the flow that impact the baffle surface. The separator and baffle surfaces can be cleaned through an access. The separator can be box- or tube-shaped or other configuration.

The disclosure provides a particle separator for removing aerosolized particles from exhaust emissions from a preconditioner or other apparatus. The separator comprises an enclosure with at least two baffles linearly spaced from one another therein. At least two baffles prevent the exhaust from linearly flowing directly from an inlet through the separator to an outlet. Each baffle is positioned at an angle relative to the linear flow of exhaust into the separator and a distance from an inner surface of the separator. This places a leading edge within the exhaust flow to redirect a portion of the flow, thereby promoting impact of particles on a portion of the inner surface of the separator, while also providing a surface that collects particles in the flow that impact the baffle surface. The separator and baffle surfaces can be cleaned through an access. The separator can be box- or tube-shaped or other configuration.

A tunnel shaper including an elongated forming tunnel for shaping amorphous food materials into a desired shape. The forming tunnel includes a bore defined by an inner wall. A channel extends along the length of the forming tunnel and is in open communication with the bore. A top tunnel extends along the tunnel in alignment with the channel. The top tunnel is adjustable with respect to the forming tunnel in order to control the shape of a amorphous material piece processed by the shaper. An adjustment bar and one or more adjustment shafts extend between the adjustment bar and the forming tunnel. A conveyor belt conveys amorphous material pieces through the bore of the forming tunnel and the distance of the top tunnel with respect to the forming tunnel is adjusted in order to control the shape of a amorphous material piece processed by the shaper.