Provided is a rounding device that rounds a food dough using a pair of shaping plates (11, 13), the device being provided with the following: a conveying device (9) that conveys a food dough (7); and the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) disposed on the upper surface of the conveying device (9) so as to extend along the conveying direction (R) of the conveying device. The rounding device is characterized in that at least one of the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) has recessed holding-dough parts (17, 21).

An automated production system is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an automated system for the continuous production of baked bread. The system can include a priming assembly having a dry ingredients priming unit and a wet ingredients priming unit. The dry ingredients priming unit can include a vertically-oriented hopper and a screw positioned within an interior region of the hopper, wherein the first screw extends along the central longitudinal axis of the hopper and is configured to rotate about its own central longitudinal axis. The system can also include a mixing assembly, a forming assembly, an oven, and a controller. The controller can be coupled to the priming assembly and configured to adjust the amount of dry ingredients delivered from the hopper to the mixing chamber by controlling rotation of the screw.

Provided is a rounding device that rounds a food dough using a pair of shaping plates (11, 13), the device being provided with the following: a conveying device (9) that conveys a food dough (7); and the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) disposed on the upper surface of the conveying device (9) so as to extend along the conveying direction (R) of the conveying device. The rounding device is characterized in that at least one of the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) has recessed holding-dough parts (17, 21).

Provided is a rounding device that rounds a food dough using a pair of shaping plates (11, 13), the device being provided with the following: a conveying device (9) that conveys a food dough (7); and the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) disposed on the upper surface of the conveying device (9) so as to extend along the conveying direction (R) of the conveying device. The rounding device is characterized in that at least one of the pair of shaping plates (11, 13) has recessed holding-dough parts (17, 21).

A dough line, comprising at least one conveyor for transporting elongated dough pieces in a direction of conveyance, curl-up means, arranged above the conveyor, for curling up a dough piece conveyed underneath the curl-up means into a cylindrical shape, and a moulding unit for moulding the curled up dough piece, compressing the dough piece in an axial direction, wherein the curl-up means comprise a first contact surface, configured for exerting a force onto a leading edge of the dough piece with at least a component in a direction opposite to the direction of conveyance and subsequently curling up the dough piece over a part of its length, and a second contact surface, configured for engaging the dough piece at an outer lateral surface of the part already curled up by the first contact surface substantially tangentially with respect to the direction of conveyance, each extending in the direction of conveyance.

A dough line, comprising at least one conveyor for transporting elongated dough pieces in a direction of conveyance, curl-up means, arranged above the conveyor, for curling up a dough piece conveyed underneath the curl-up means into a cylindrical shape, and a moulding unit for moulding the curled up dough piece, compressing the dough piece in an axial direction, wherein the curl-up means comprise a first contact surface, configured for exerting a force onto a leading edge of the dough piece with at least a component in a direction opposite to the direction of conveyance and subsequently curling up the dough piece over a part of its length, and a second contact surface, configured for engaging the dough piece at an outer lateral surface of the part already curled up by the first contact surface substantially tangentially with respect to the direction of conveyance, each extending in the direction of conveyance.

A rounding device and method of rounding that provides improved rounding of semi solid material portions by introducing changes or variations in the contours or profiles of rounding bars to produce one or more changes in the axis of rotation of the semi solid material portion along the working length of the one or more contoured rounding bars and round the surfaces of the semi solid material portion with greater uniformity and consistency. By changing the axis of rotation of the semi solid material portion in the working length of the variable contour rounding bar one can improve the rounding and avoid blemishes and deformities that occur to the surface of the semi solid material portion in existing devices.

A rounding device and method of rounding that provides improved rounding of semi solid material portions by introducing changes or variations in the contours or profiles of rounding bars to produce one or more changes in the axis of rotation of the semi solid material portion along the working length of the one or more contoured rounding bars and round the surfaces of the semi solid material portion with greater uniformity and consistency. By changing the axis of rotation of the semi solid material portion in the working length of the variable contour rounding bar one can improve the rounding and avoid blemishes and deformities that occur to the surface of the semi solid material portion in existing devices.

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.

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.