The present invention provides a soft material forming apparatus, which comprises a forming mold assembly and a detaching assembly. The forming mold assembly comprises a first roller and a second roller, for extruding a product. There is a specific interval between the detaching assembly and the first roller. The product comprises a release portion which is the earliest part of the product that contacts the detaching assembly. With the specific interval and the rotatability of the detaching assembly, the product can be released from the forming mold assembly.

A food dough extrusion machine (10). The machine has a platform (2) and at least one extrusion unit (1) supported by the platform (2). The extrusion machine (10) has a guidance (3) by which the at least one extrusion unit (10) is supported on the platform (2) and by which the at least one extrusion unit (10) is adjustable relative to the platform (2) and/or removable from the platform (2).

A food dough extrusion machine (10). The machine has a platform (2) and at least one extrusion unit (1) supported by the platform (2). The extrusion machine (10) has a guidance (3) by which the at least one extrusion unit (10) is supported on the platform (2) and by which the at least one extrusion unit (10) is adjustable relative to the platform (2) and/or removable from the platform (2).

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.

The invention is directed to a foodstuff extrusion portioning device and more specifically a cutter head assembly on such an extruder having a servo motor, a cutter shuttle coupled to a cutting element, a controller and being programmed via a product variable to provide a velocity profile. The cutter in the velocity profile has a first velocity and it reduces speed to a second velocity and goes more slowly through the last portion of the foodstuff. The at least two velocities being fully programmable and the controller can provide for instantaneous and additional programmed velocities throughout the cutting profile. The cutter further providing tilt control so it can drop the portion at the moment the portion detaches from the extruded foodstuff stream. It cuts and/or breaks off portions in a far more uniform and controllable manner to more accurately portion and better place the cut portions. This also provides the portion with minimal residual energy pushing it forward as it drops through the effect of gravity and the cutter can be used so as to further direct and push the portion downward so as to optimally place it.

The invention is directed to a foodstuff extrusion portioning device and more specifically a cutter head assembly on such an extruder having a servo motor, a cutter shuttle coupled to a cutting element, a controller and being programmed via a product variable to provide a velocity profile. The cutter in the velocity profile has a first velocity and it reduces speed to a second velocity and goes more slowly through the last portion of the foodstuff. The at least two velocities being fully programmable and the controller can provide for instantaneous and additional programmed velocities throughout the cutting profile. The cutter further providing tilt control so it can drop the portion at the moment the portion detaches from the extruded foodstuff stream. It cuts and/or breaks off portions in a far more uniform and controllable manner to more accurately portion and better place the cut portions. This also provides the portion with minimal residual energy pushing it forward as it drops through the effect of gravity and the cutter can be used so as to further direct and push the portion downward so as to optimally place it.

A rotating nozzle assembly for a die machine connectable to a dough extruder has a stationary sleeve with a first end having internal and external annular recesses and an annular stepped seating surface and a second end mountable in the die machine mounting plate. A nozzle has a first end rotatably disposed in the stationary-sleeve first-end internal annular recess, a second end and a radially outwardly-protruding annular ring between the first and second nozzle ends. A ring seal is disposed between the stationary-sleeve first-end annular stepped seating surface and the radially outwardly-protruding annular nozzle ring. A nozzle cap is fixedly attached to the stationary-sleeve first end. The nozzle is rotatably disposed in the nozzle cap. The nozzle second end extends beyond the nozzle cap. An annular stepped axial thrust bearing surface in the nozzle cap prevents relative axial movement of the nozzle while allowing rotation of the nozzle.

A rotating nozzle assembly for a die machine connectable to a dough extruder has a stationary sleeve with a first end having internal and external annular recesses and an annular stepped seating surface and a second end mountable in the die machine mounting plate. A nozzle has a first end rotatably disposed in the stationary-sleeve first-end internal annular recess, a second end and a radially outwardly-protruding annular ring between the first and second nozzle ends. A ring seal is disposed between the stationary-sleeve first-end annular stepped seating surface and the radially outwardly-protruding annular nozzle ring. A nozzle cap is fixedly attached to the stationary-sleeve first end. The nozzle is rotatably disposed in the nozzle cap. The nozzle second end extends beyond the nozzle cap. An annular stepped axial thrust bearing surface in the nozzle cap prevents relative axial movement of the nozzle while allowing rotation of the nozzle.

A dough extrusion machine (10). The machine has a first extrusion unit (1) and a second extrusion unit (2) mounted to a platform (3), wherein the first extrusion unit (1) comprises combining means (12) for combining dough discharged from the first extrusion unit (1) and dough discharged from the second extrusion unit (2), characterized in that the first extrusion unit (1) has a plurality of inlet openings (7) upstream of combining means (12), and that the second extrusion unit (2) has a plurality of outlet openings (4), wherein the outlet openings (4) of the second extrusion unit (2) are coupled to the inlet openings (7) of the first extrusion unit (1) by an array (5) of tubes (6) detachably mounted to the first and second extrusion unit (1, 2).

A dough extrusion machine (10). The machine has a first extrusion unit (1) and a second extrusion unit (2) mounted to a platform (3), wherein the first extrusion unit (1) comprises combining means (12) for combining dough discharged from the first extrusion unit (1) and dough discharged from the second extrusion unit (2), characterized in that the first extrusion unit (1) has a plurality of inlet openings (7) upstream of combining means (12), and that the second extrusion unit (2) has a plurality of outlet openings (4), wherein the outlet openings (4) of the second extrusion unit (2) are coupled to the inlet openings (7) of the first extrusion unit (1) by an array (5) of tubes (6) detachably mounted to the first and second extrusion unit (1, 2).