Method and apparatus for depositing dough on a conveyor

A depositing apparatus for the manufacture of shaped food product includes a hopper having an open top for receiving a prepared mix. Feed rollers positioned within the lower end of the hopper force mix through an extrusion die assembly. The die assembly includes an elongated plate defining a plurality of apertures and supporting a plurality of dies in coaxial relationship with the apertures. A variable restrictor is supported at each of the apertures for varying the effective open area or flow area of the apertures. The flow area may be varied to compensate for variations in weight, consistency or volume of the mix so that relatively uniform weight shapes are deposited onto a conveyor passing underneath the feed hopper. The variable restrictor includes a pair of opposed plates having edges configured in a complementary fashion to the cross-sectional shape of the die. A drive is operably connected to each of the plates so that they may be moved towards and away from each other into the aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for depositing 
baking dough or confectionery mass onto a surface in the manufacture of 
cookies, confectionery and the like. 
Typically, baking dough or confectionery mass, used, for example, in 
manufacturing cookies and some candies, is formulated and prepared in a 
mixer. Such dough or confectionary mass, due to its nature, is not truly 
or strictly a homogeneous substance, due to such variables as temperature, 
humidity and the like, which may not be absolutely uniform throughout the 
mix. 
Generally, a dough or confectionery mass is placed in a depositing 
apparatus after having been prepared. Such apparatus typically includes a 
hopper having an open top to receive the prepared mix, and one or more 
feed rollers or other discharge devices positioned at least partially 
within the confines of the hopper. Such devices force the "mix" (as used 
herein, any dough or confectionery mass) through a plurality of apertures 
and into deposition or extrusion dies, cups or nozzles which open through 
the bottom of the hopper. The mix is extruded onto a moving conveyor 
positioned underneath the hopper. Provision, usually in the form of a 
shiftable wire or blade, is made for severing the dough after a particular 
portion of it is extruded, so that a plurality of shapes or forms of 
cookies or candy, for example, are deposited on the conveyor in a 
plurality of transversely spaced lanes. The shapes are arranged in tandem 
within each lane. The conveyor moves the shapes to an oven for baking, or 
to other stations for other processing. Examples of dough depositing 
apparatus may be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,050, entitled 
DOUGH DEPOSITING MACHINE and issued on Dec. 15, 1970, in the name of 
Verhoeven and commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,226, entitled APATUS 
FOR DISPENSING DOUGH IN A PATTERN UTILIZING MOVEABLE NOZZLES and issued on 
Feb. 24, 1976, in the name of Verhoeven. 
Problems have been experienced with controlling the weight of the cookie 
and candy shapes deposited onto the conveyor so that each shape has 
substantially the same weight. The apertures opening into the dies are 
usually of a fixed cross-sectional area. This cross-sectional area defines 
the flow area into the nozzles or dies and the dough flow rate through the 
dies is directly related to the area. Different amounts by weight and/or 
volume of the dough may be deposited onto the conveyor from different 
apertures and dies due to differences in dough consistency and/or flow 
rates. The cookie or candy shapes in adjacent lanes on the conveyor may 
not be substantially the same weight. As a result, some shapes may be too 
large or some shapes may be too small in adjacent lanes. This problem can 
reduce the overall quality and/or uniformity of the resulting cookie or 
candy product. The mix may be wasted, in that a fewer number of cookie or 
candy shapes may be formed from a given quantity of mix than desired or 
anticipated. 
At least one attempt has been made to solve the aforementioned problem. In 
this attempt, an elongated rod-like member or screw has been inserted into 
the aperture and/or the die area in an attempt to control the mix flowing 
through the extrusion die. The rod introduces a certain restriction. The 
mix being forced through the aperture and into the extrusion die must pass 
around and over the rod. This method is of very limited usefulness and has 
not provided acceptable weight and/or volume control of the cookie or 
candy forms or shapes deposited onto the conveyor beneath the hopper. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A need exists for apparatus and a method for insuring that substantial 
equal quantities by weight of mix are deposited onto the moving conveyor 
of a cookie dough or candy mass depositing apparatus. In accordance with 
the present invention, these needs are substantially fulfilled. 
Essentially, a variable orifice die assembly is mounted at the outlet of 
the hopper of a dough depositing apparatus. The die assembly includes an 
elongated plate defining a plurality of apertures. A plurality of dies are 
positioned coaxially with the apertures. A balanced variable restrictor 
means is disposed at each of the apertures for selectively varying the 
effective open or flow area of the apertures to compensate for localized 
variations in mix volume, density, weight and flow rates. By monitoring 
the weight of the cookie or candy shpes, the operator can selectively 
actuate the balanced variable restrictor means to insure that a 
substantially constant weight of mix is contained in each of the forms or 
shapes within the lanes. 
In narrower aspects of the invention, the variable restrictor means 
includes a pair of opposed plates, each of which has facing edges. The 
facing edges are configured to be "complementary" to the cross-sectional 
shape of the die. The complementary configuration need not be the same 
general cross-sectional shape of the die. Rather, the configuration is a 
shape which complements the die cross-sectional shape in the sense of 
insuring that the desired cookie form or shape is deposited onto the 
conveyor. Drive means are provided for shifting the plates towards each 
other within the apertures defined by the elongated plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 illustrates a mix depositing apparatus generally designated 10 which 
incorporates the variable orifice die assembly in accordance with the 
present invention. The mix depositing apparatus includes an open top 
hopper 12 and a pair of rollers 14 positioned adjacent the bottom of the 
hopper and extending at least partially within the hopper. This is 
schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The rollers, which are preferably 
grooved, are driven by a drive mechanism enclosed within a housing 16. Mix 
is deposited within hopper 12. The rollers force the mix through a nip 18 
(FIG. 2) to an extrusion or orifice assembly, generally designated 20 in 
FIG. 2. The mix after being forced through the extrusion assembly 20 is 
cut by a wire cut-off mechanism generally designated 22. The cut-off 
mechanism severs the mix at the outlets of the extrusion assembly, as 
explained below, when the desired quantity has been forced therethrough. 
As seen in FIG. 1, a plurality of lanes 26 of cookie or candy shapes or 
forms are deposited onto a moving conveyor 28. Each of the lanes 26 
includes a plurality of tandemly arranged cookie or candy shapes 30. 
The basic structure of the roller extruder or mix depositing apparatus as 
described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is known in the art. In 
varying arrangements, one or more feed rollers, as well as other forms of 
mechanisms besides the described wire cut-off assembly 20, may be 
employed. For example, a reciprocating blade arrangement has been used 
with such mix depositing machines. Also, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 
3,547,050 discloses a single roller disposed at least partially within the 
hopper which cooperates with the reciprocating plunger to push the mix 
through an extrusion assembly. Such could be used in place of the two 
rollers. 
As mentioned above, the mix deposited within the hopper 12 is 
nonhomogeneous and has localized variations in consistency and/or weight 
at the dies. Also, the flow rates through the dies may vary from die to 
die. This has resulted in the cookie or candy shapes or forms 30 deposited 
on the conveyor 28 having varying weights within different lanes. In 
accordance with the present invention, a variable orifice extruder or die 
assembly is provided which permits individual weight control by lane. 
The variable orifice die assembly, generally designated 20, is illustrated 
in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Assembly 20 includes a support plate 40 which is 
positioned immediately below the feed rollers 14 of the dough depositing 
apparatus. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The elongated 
support plate defines a plurality of tandemly arranged and equally spaced 
apertures 42 which open through the top surface 44 of plate 40. In the 
embodiment illustrated, apertures 42 are circular in shape and define a 
fixed open or flow area. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a second elongated 
support plate 46 is secured to the undersurface of support plate 40. 
Second support plate 46 also defines a plurality of apertures 43 which 
have the same diameter as apertures 42 and are aligned therewith. 
Secured to support plates 40 and 46 are a plurality of variable restrictor 
means 50. In the preferred embodiment, a variable restrictor means 50 is 
provided for each of the apertures 42 of the die or extrusion assembly 20. 
As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, support plate 46 defines a plurality of 
transversely extending channel-shaped slots or passages 52. Slots 52 open 
through lateral edges 54, 56 of plate 46. 
Slidably disposed within each of the slots 52 are a pair of orifice or 
restrictor plates 60, 62. For simplicity, only a single variable 
restrictor means 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Orifice plates 60, 62 
are generally rectangular in configuration in plan. These plates, however, 
define opposed, facing, configured edges 66. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the 
configured edges 66 in the embodiment illustrated have the same radius of 
curvature and close towards each other. As should be apparent, plates 60, 
62 may be slid towards and away from each other as indicated by the arrows 
68 in FIG. 5. When moved towards each other, they enter the aperture 42 
through its periphery thereby restricting or changing the effective open 
or flow area of the aperture. 
As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of extrusion dies 72 are secured to 
the undersurface of support plate 46. In the embodiment shown, each of the 
extrusion dies 72 is generally cup-shaped in configuration and defines an 
elongated bore 74 which is coaxial with apertures 42, 43. Each die 72 is 
formed with mounting flanges 78 at which the die is secured to support 
plate 46 by suitable fasteners 80. The drawings merely illustrate one form 
of extrusion die for which the present apparatus and method are adapted. 
Other configurations may, of course, be employed in the depositing 
apparatus, depending upon the specific cookie or candy shape or form 
desired. For example, a rectangular die in cross-section may be used when 
it is desired to form rectangular-shaped food products. Die 72, as 
illustrated, is primarily adapted for forming circular-shaped food 
products. 
As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, configured opposed edges 66 of plates 60, 62 are 
"complementary" to the die shape and to the shape of the apertures 42. 
Apertures 42 and the extrusion dies 72 are generally circular in 
configuration. Opposed edges 66 of plates 60, 62 define an oval or 
egg-shaped opening when moved towards each other. The edges, in other 
words, have a radius of curvature which is greater than the radius of 
curvature of aperture 42 and bore 74 of each extrusion die. 
The plates and the configured edges when moved towards each other, as seen 
in FIG. 5, define a balanced restriction. The plates enter from opposite 
and hence complementary portions of the periphery of the aperture 42. When 
mix is forced through the restricted area defined by the opposed edges 66 
by feed rolls 14, it will expand and fill bore 74 of die 72 to assume the 
shape of the die. The plates are complementary in the sense that term is 
used herein, i.e., they cooperate with the die shape to achieve the 
desired food product shape after baking or other final processing. They 
produce the shape of the die discharge opening. The restriction is 
balanced, and the mix is not forced over a discontinuity or member which 
extends into or through the middle of the die as in prior devices. 
When circular or other curved die shapes are employed, it has been found 
that an oval configuration of the opposed edges provides the desired 
results. If it is desired to form rectangular-shaped or other 
straight-sided food product and a generally rectangular or other such die 
is employed, the opposed edges of the plates would be somewhat moon-shaped 
tongues, configured to starve the mid-portions of the sides of the die, 
which would cause the corners to fill out. This further illustrates the 
use of the term "complementary" as used herein. 
As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a drive means generally designated 90 is 
provided for uniformly shifting the restrictor plates 60, 62 towards and 
away from each other. Drive means 90 includes an elongated lead screw 92 
rotatably supported within a bearing housing 94. Lead screw 92 is secured 
longitudinally of bearing housing 94 by suitable circlips (not shown) 
disposed within grooves which extend around the circumference of the 
screw. Lead screws 92 includes a first threaded portion 96 which is 
threaded oppositely to a second threaded portion 98. Housing 94 is secured 
to support plate 46 by ears 100 and suitable fasteners 102. 
Threadably disposed on threaded portions 96, 98 are followers 104, 106. 
Each follower 104, 106 is internally threaded. As a result, rotation of 
lead screw 92, such as by manually grasping knob 108, will cause the 
followers 104, 106 to simultaneously move towards or away from each other, 
depending upon the direction of rotation. 
Followers 104, 106 are operably connected to plates 60, 62, respectively, 
by bell cranks or pivoted levers 112. Each lever 112 is pivoted to support 
plate 40 by a suitable pivot pin or fastener 114. A first leg 116 of each 
lever 112 has a pin 118 fixed thereto which extends into a suitable bore 
120 defined by each follower 104, 106. A second leg 126 of each bell crank 
112 supports a pin 128. Pin 128 extends into an elongated slot 130 defined 
by each plate 60, 62. 
As should be readily apparent from FIG. 5, rotation of lead screw 92 in a 
direction which causes followers 104, 106 to move towards each other will 
cause the bell cranks to pivot about pivot pins 114 with bell crank legs 
116 moving towards each other. This causes pins 128 to slide within slots 
130 and plates 60, 62 to be slid away from each other within slots 52. 
This moves the configured edges 66 away from each other so that the 
effective flow area of aperture 42 is increased until its maximum is 
reached. Rotation of the lead screw 92 in the opposite direction causes 
plates 60, 62 to be moved towards each other thereby restricting the 
effective flow area of aperture 42. Mechanism 20, therefore, provides a 
variable orifice or restriction at each of the dies or cups of the 
extrusion assembly. 
OPERATION 
In use, a quantity of the mix is deposited into the open end of hopper 12. 
Grooved rollers 14 are actuated and force the mix towards the die assembly 
20. The mix is forced through apertures 42 and through the respective 
bores 74 of each die or extrusion cup 72. Cutting assembly 22 is actuated 
on a timed basis in accordance with known methods to sever the mix at the 
discharge or lower ends of the dies. Shaped food product forms 30 are 
deposited in lanes on the conveyor 28. 
The machine operator monitors the configuration, size and weight of the 
food product 30 produced by the apparatus. This monitoring may take the 
form of "feedback" after the food product is further processed and 
weighed. When a particular lane 26 has food product 30 which is of greater 
or lesser weight than desired, the operator rotates a lead screw 92 at 
that particular lane to vary the effective flow area of the aperture 42. 
Rotation of lead screw 92, as discussed in detail above, causes the 
restrictor plates 60, 62 to move towards or away from each other. If the 
weight of the food product deposited on the conveyor 28 is too great, a 
reduction in the flow area will reduce the weight in that particular lane. 
If the weight of the food product is too little, the lead screw would be 
rotated to shift plates 60, 62 away from each other, thereby increasing 
the effective flow area of aperture 42. By monitoring the depositing 
process and selectively rotating the lead screws 92, more efficient and 
complete use of the mix and uniformity will be achieved. 
Typically, the plates would be initially positioned within the apertures at 
the manufacturer's facility to achieve essentially uniform pressure drop 
across the dies. The adjustments during use may be opening or closing of 
the aperture to achieve weight control through volume control. The rollers 
above the dies create a relatively constant pressure and the restrictors 
create a back pressure and restrict flow. The ultimate purpose of the 
method and apparatus is weight control. The immediate effect is, however, 
volume control due to the relatively constant specific density of the mix 
at a given extrusion orifice or die. 
The subject process insures that substantially equal weight food product 
will be transferred to further processing by conveyor 28. This eliminates 
mix wastage and insures more uniformity in the resulting food product. 
This, of course, also provides significant cost savings to the 
manufacturer. 
In view of the foregoing description, those of ordinary skill in the art 
will undoubtedly envision various modifications to the present invention 
which would not depart from the unique and patentable concepts 
incorporated therein. For example, as discussed above, the configuration 
of the restrictor plates 60, 62 could vary from that illustrated. The 
shape is, however, related to the configuration of the dies supported by 
the apparatus. Further, it is believed that a drive mechanism other than 
that illustrated could be used to simultaneously move the plates 60, 62 
towards each other. It is also possible that the drive mechanism could be 
actuated by suitable servo motors. This would avoid the necessity of the 
operator manually turning the lead screws by grasping knobs 108. Such an 
arrangement could be readily adapted to the lead screws and would be well 
within the ordinary skill of the art in view of the present disclosure. 
Therefore, it is expressly intended that the above description should be 
considered to be only that of the preferred embodiment. The true spirit 
and scope of the present invention may be determined by reference to the 
appended claims.