Abstract:
A dough stream blocker ( 10 ) is positioned in a dough forming apparatus for selectively opening or blocking the flow of dough through the channels of the assembly that lead to the dough cut off device. Slide valves ( 34 ) are rotated to present either a slide valve opening ( 36 ) or a slide valve closed body portion ( 38 ) that opens or closes the channels.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention concerns a dough handling apparatus for forming dough into separate parallel dough streams and cutting pieces of dough from the separate dough streams. More particularly, the invention concerns a dough stream blocker for selectively blocking the passages through the dough handling apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the processing of baker&#39;s dough, dough is usually made up by feeding raw dough and a liquid into a pressure pump, and the pump advances the dough through various stages toward an oven. For example, the dough from the pressure pump might pass through a developer that stretches the gluten of the dough, and then through a metering pump where the pressure of the dough is increased and stabilized. The dough passes from the metering pump through a scaling division manifold that divides the oncoming dough into several dough streams. The dough then passes through a cut-off device that cuts the oncoming dough streams into smaller pieces, the pieces being suitable for baking as biscuits, buns, hot dog buns, etc. Examples of some of these components are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,270,070, 5,356,652 and 5,283,074. 
         [0003]    There are times when it is desirable to modify the number of oncoming dough steams when the desired end product is being changed. For example, the end product might be changed in shape from smaller biscuits to elongated hot dog buns, etc. The changing of the end product might require one or more of the dough streams to be terminated, leaving fewer dough streams that would likely be used for the larger or longer buns. In order to reduce the number of dough streams, some of the components of the equipment must be modified or replaced. For example, when the dough leaves the metering pump and advances to the scaling division manifold where the dough is formed into several dough streams, a substitute scaling division manifold might be required. This is likely to require a shut down of the dough processing equipment while scaling division manifold and possibly other components are replaced. 
         [0004]    In some instances, it is possible to block a channel of the dough processing equipment by inserting a plug and then a fastener to hold the plug in place at the scaling division manifold. In other instances, the dough processing equipment might include rotary globe valves in the channels that are used to adjust the flow of dough streams through the equipment. It might be possible to completely close a globe valve to block one of the dough streams, whereby the valve can be rotated about 20 or 30 turns to completely block the channel. The valves of this type usually are not located in the most desirable positions in the dough processing path to close off dough streams and are not well suited for expediently blocking or opening a channel for the dough. 
         [0005]    Another feature of the prior art is that the dough processing equipment must be cleaned at predetermined periods for sanitation purposes. A typical cleaning method includes the turbulent movement of water under pressure through the dough channels. This has the effect of urging the water against the inside surfaces of the equipment, usually forcing any residue of dough and condiments out of the equipment. However, when there are multiple channels formed by the equipment, it is difficult to raise the pressure of the water to an equal pressure through all of the channels. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to have a valve system that could expediently block and open a dough stream at the most desirable position along the dough processing line for modifying the number of dough streams produced by the system and for expediently and more thoroughly cleaning the equipment. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, this invention is directed to the above noted problems and to solutions thereto. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Briefly described, the present invention comprises a method and apparatus for forming dough into separate parallel streams and cutting pieces of dough from the streams, with the improvement including a dough stream blocker that can selectively open and close the ports of the apparatus through which the dough streams pass. 
         [0009]    The dough stream blocker may include an entry panel that includes a plurality of entry ports formed therethrough, with the entry ports each configured to receive one of the dough streams. A delivery panel includes a plurality of delivery ports formed therethrough, and each delivery port is in alignment with one of the entry ports. A slide valve may be positioned at each delivery port, and a valve operator is provided for moving the valves independently of the other valves into and out of a dough stream blocking relationship with respect to the delivery ports. 
         [0010]    The dough stream blocker may also include a valve cavity formed between the entry panel and the delivery panel at each delivery port, with the slide valves being positioned in the cavities. 
         [0011]    The slide valves may each comprise a flat plate design that defines a valve opening therethrough sized and shaped to correspond to the sizes and shapes of the delivery openings in the delivery panel and a closed body portion of a breadth larger than the delivery openings. 
         [0012]    Each of the valve operators may be connected to one of the slide valves for moving the slide valves between positions in which the valve openings of the slide valves are in alignment with said entry ports and said delivery ports to allow flow of dough streams through the dough stream blocker, or in which the closed body portion of the slide valve is in alignment with the entry ports and the delivery ports to block the flow of dough through the dough stream blocker. 
         [0013]    The slide valves may be substantially flat, of a thickness only slightly less than the valve cavities. With this shape the slide valves may be expediently slid from one side to the other side of the valve cavities while maintaining a close fit in the cavities, thereby exposing the delivery ports to either the valve opening or the closed body portion of the slide valve. 
         [0014]    As the dough stream moves into the dough stream blocker against a closed valve, the force applied by the dough stream to the valve plate tends to press the valve plate against the edge of the delivery panel adjacent the delivery opening, thereby tending to seal the dough from further travel through the dough stream blocker. 
         [0015]    Since the slide valve is rotatable within the valve cavity in a direction normal to the direction of force of the dough stream, the force of the oncoming dough stream against the slide valve is not likely to bind the slide valve in a static position within the valve cavity. Therefore, the slide valves can be operated as the rest of the system operates, as may be desired. For example, if the dough processing system is being changed downstream of the dough stream blocker, it is possible to open or close the slide valves of the dough stream blocker. 
         [0016]    Other objects, features and advantages of this invention may be understood from reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a typical dough processing system leading to an oven but now including a dough stream blocker which is positioned ahead of the dough cut-off device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dough stream blocker. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an expanded perspective view of the dough stream blocker. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a detailed illustration of the rear face of the delivery panel, showing the slide valves in alternate positions and blocking or opening the delivery port. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 2  shows the dough stream blocker  10  that includes mounting block  12 , entry panel  14  and delivery panel  16 . Mounting block  12 , entry panel  14  and delivery panel  16  are each of rectangular shape, with the mounting block being more massive for the purpose of supporting the entry panel and delivery panel, and also for the purpose of receiving the oncoming dough streams. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the entry panel  14  and delivery panel  16  are mounted to the mounting block  12  by means of connector pins  20  and aligned pin openings. The entry panel and delivery panel are in face-to-face abutment with each other. If desired, a gasket may be positioned between the panels. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , mounting block  12  includes a plurality of dough stream passages  22  that extend completely through the mounting block for the purpose of receiving and passing dough streams therethrough. Entry sleeves  24  are telescopically inserted into the dough stream passages  22  and include rims  26  for connection to the next upstream device, such as a scaling division manifold. The entry sleeves can be made of various materials, such as polypropylene or nylon, or other suitable materials that have a relatively low coefficient of friction for passing dough streams. The mounting block, entry panel and delivery panel may be made of metal, such as aluminum, or of suitable nylon or of plastics, such as UHMW. 
         [0023]    Entry panel  14  is a substantially flat, rectangular piece having opposed side surfaces that are flat but for the openings formed therein. Entry openings  28  are formed through the entry panel  14  and are sized and spaced to register with the passages  22  of the mounting block  12 . 
         [0024]    Delivery panel  16  is also of rectangular configuration, similar to the configuration of entry panel  14 , and includes a plurality of delivery ports  30 . The delivery ports  30  are of a size and shape substantially similar to the size and shape of the entry openings  28  of entry panel  14 , and in axial alignment therewith. Delivery panel  16  further includes cavities  32  that face the entry panel  14 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , slide valves  34  are located in the valve cavities  32 . The slide valves are flat and of uniform thickness and are approximately heart shaped. Each slide valve includes a valve opening  36  and a closed body portion  38 , and a valve operator  40 . The slide valve has a rim  37  that forms the valve opening  36  and the opening is sized and shaped to register with and be coextensive with the entry openings  28  of entry panel  14  and the delivery openings  30  of the delivery panel  16 . The slide valves move through an arc as indicated by arrows  42 , so that the slide valve can move clockwise ( FIG. 4 ) to locate its valve opening  36  in alignment with the entry port  28  and delivery port  30 , or can move counter-clockwise to place the closed body portion  38  in registration with the entry ports  28  and delivery ports  30 . 
         [0026]    The slide valves  34  are received in the valve cavities  32  of delivery panel  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The breadth of the slide cavities  32  is greater than the breadth of the heart shaped slide valves  34 , allowing room for the slide valves to pivot as shown in  FIG. 4  and remain within the valve cavities. 
         [0027]    When the dough stream blocker  10  is assembled, the mounting block, entry panel and delivery panel are all attached in a sandwiched relationship by means of connector pins  20 . The valve operator  40  of each slide valve  34  will extend through a pivot pin opening  44  in delivery panel  16 . The engagement of the valve operator  40  through the pivot pin opening  44  causes the valve operator to function as a pivot pin for the slide valve  34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Moreover, the outwardly extending end portion of the valve operator includes a non-circular configuration, such as a slot for a flat plated screwdriver, or some other configuration compatible with turning the slide valve. The valve operator  40  may protrude from or remain recessed within the pivot pin opening  44 , with its non-circular distal end being accessible with a tool for rotating the slide valve. 
         [0028]    When the dough stream blocker  10  is placed in operation in a dough processing apparatus, the slide valves  34  may be moved through an arc by the external engagement of a valve operator  40  with a screw driver or other turning tool and turning the tool, thereby turning the slide valve. Typically, the delivery ports will be completely open or completely blocked by the slide valves. If fewer than all of the ports of the dough stream blocker are to pass dough steams in the dough forming process, one or more of the slide valves will be closed. For example, if the dough forming equipment is to make larger or longer products, some of the slide valves will be rotated to their closed positions to allow fewer dough streams to pass. This presents the closed body portion  38  between the entry ports  28  of the entry panel  14  and the delivery ports  30  of the delivery panel  16 , effectively blocking the flow of dough therethrough. 
         [0029]    The rim  37  of the slide valve opening  36  is the same width as the rest of the slide valve, so that when the valve opening  36  is aligned with the entry ports  28  and delivery ports  30 , there will be no leakage of dough about the rim into the valve cavity. 
         [0030]    The valve cavities  32  are disclosed as being formed in the delivery panel  16 ; however, the valve cavities may be formed in the entry panel  14  or an additional internal panel may be placed between the entry and delivery panels that includes the slide valve cavity. 
         [0031]    When the equipment is to be cleaned for sanitation purposes, several of the slide valves may be closed and pressurized water entered in the system upstream of the dough stream blocker. With only one or just a few of the slide valves being open, the pressure of the water passing through the system may be raised for better cleaning action upstream of the dough stream blocker. 
         [0032]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.