Patent ID: 6838105
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: A21C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing a dough product, the dough product having an engagement surface and a leading feature, the apparatus comprising: a support structure; a conveyor operatively supported by the support structure and having a movable surface upon which the engagement surface of the dough product can be carried in a process direction by a driving engagement between the moveable surface and the engagement surface of the dough product that is sufficient to transfer the dough product; an impacting station comprising an impacting device operatively supported relative to the conveyor and movably disposed relative to the movable surface of the conveyor, the impacting device movable between an impact position wherein at least a portion of the impacting device is positioned to impact the leading feature of the dough product as it is conveyed to the impacting station and a position wherein the dough product can pass between it and the conveyor, and an engagement enhancement means for temporarily increasing and thus enhancing the driving engagement between the moveable surface of the conveyor and the engagement surface of the dough product when the impacting device will impact the leading feature of the dough product, wherein the means for enhancing driving engagement between the moveable surface and the dough product surface is a force of differential pressure obtained by creating a region of lower pressure than the ambient environment at a position below the movable surface, the region of low pressure extending at least across a portion of a width of the movable surface and extending a predetermined distance in the process direction.