Abstract:
Roll-forming apparatus is provided together with a conveyor system utilized to transport raw dough rolls. A stop gate is movably positioned in the path of the rolls and, when placed in an interfering position, temporarily stops the rolls while the rolls maintain sliding contact with the conveyor. An imprinter is positioned above the conveyor and adjacent the stop gate. The stop gate is subsequently moved to a noninterfering position to permit the rolls to pass to the imprinting drums where the rolls are formed into a desired shape.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to machinery for utilization in a bakery and, more particularly, to a machine for imprinting raw dough rolls with a desired design. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Rolls are automatically formed from raw dough and are characteristically placed on a conveyer to be transported to a baking pan. It has been found desirable to imprint designs in the rolls to render the finished product more attractive and desirable. For example, by imprinting the rolls with appropriate designs, the roll, when baked, has the appearance of a hand-rolled roll with indentations to facilitate the breaking of the roll into smaller portions. The utilization of roll-forming drums having a suitable design thereon is old in the art. Such prior art apparatus utilize drums having a negative of the design formed therein rotatably positioned on a shaft over the conveyor. As the forming drums are rotated, the raw dough rolls passing therebeneath on the conveyor are imprinted or formed with a suitable design. 
   However, registration between the raw dough roll and the forming drum is not possible with such prior art apparatus. Accordingly, the result of the prior art apparatus was the formation of rolls with a designed design, but with the design substantially randomly positioned on the roll. The problem of registration of the design on the raw dough roll is further complicated by the fact that the dough is usually deposited on the moving conveyor in rows aligned transverse to the conveyor. The raw dough rolls in each row are almost always imperfectly aligned so that the rolls will pass under their respective forming drums at different times. Attempts at synchronizing the position of the raw dough roll on the conveyor and the rotation of the raw dough roll on the conveyor and the rotation of the dough-forming drums have resulted in extremely complex machinery with results that are not entirely satisfactory. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, a roll-forming apparatus for association with a conveyor for forming a design in a raw dough roll transported by the conveyor includes a stop gate movable into and out of an interfering position in a path of the raw dough roll for temporarily stopping the roll while the roll maintains sliding contact with the conveyor. An imprinter mounted proximate the conveyor is repeatedly movable between a registered position in preparation for imprinting a design on the roll before it leaves the stop gate and an imprinting position for imprinting a design on the roll after it has left the stop gate and is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyor. A first motor is operative for moving the stop gate out of the interfering position to permit the roll to be conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyor. 
   First sensor apparatus is provided for non-contact sensing the arrival of the raw dough roll at the stop gate, and second sensor apparatus is provided for non-contact sensing the positioning of the imprinter in the registered position. The second sensor apparatus is activated after a predetermined time delay in response to the non-contact sensing of the raw dough roll at the stop gate by the first sensor apparatus. The first motor moves the stop gate out the interfering position in synchronism with the imprinter in response to the second sensor apparatus non-contact sensing the positioning of the imprinter in the registered position after the predetermined time delay, whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyer and imprinted with a design in the imprinting position of the imprinter. 
   A member is displaceable by the roll conveyed by the conveyor before being temporarily stopped by the stop gate in its interfering position. The sensor apparatus includes a non-contacting sensor element thereof mounted at one of a fixed position relative to the member and to the member, and a non-contacted sensed element thereof mounted at the other of the fixed position relative to the member and to the member. The second proximity apparatus includes a non-contacting sensor element thereof mounted at one of a fixed position relative to the imprinter and to the imprinter, and a non-contacted sensed element mounted at the other of the fixed position relative to the imprinter and to the member. 
   The stop gate includes a stop bar, positioned to intercept and stop the roll when the stop gate is in the interfering position, carried by a pivoted rod coupled to a rotatable shaft positioned proximate the conveyor. The imprinter is repeatedly movable between the registered position and the imprinting position by rotation of the imprinter by a second motor. The first motor moves the stop gate out the interfering position in synchronism with the imprinter by rotation of the stop gate. The interfering position is the starting position of the cycle of rotation of the stop gate and is also the ending position of the cycle of rotation of the stop gate. The rotation of the stop gate includes a programmable acceleration leg from the interfering position, a programmable deceleration leg back to the interfering position, and a programmable intermediate leg therebetween. 
   First motor is defined as a device that is capable of rotating stop gate at variable speeds, for allowing the speeds the acceleration, deceleration, and intermediate legs of the cycle of rotation of the stop gate to be varied, and for varying the rate of acceleration of the acceleration leg, and the rate of deceleration of the deceleration leg. Preferably, the first motor is a conventional variable speed electric motor, a conventional variable speed servomotor, etc. 
   The second motor is defined as a device that is capable of rotating imprinter at variable speeds. Preferably, the second motor is a conventional variable speed electric motor, a conventional variable speed servomotor, etc. 
   In a particular embodiment, the imprinter has a plurality of offset imprinting faces and a plurality of sensed elements each corresponding to one of the offset imprinting faces. In this embodiment, the imprinter is mounted proximate the conveyor for continuous rotation thereby repeatedly moving each of the offset imprinting faces between a registered position in preparation for imprinting a design on the roll before it leaves the stop gate and an imprinting position for imprinting a design on the roll after it has left the stop gate and is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyor. The second sensor apparatus has a sensor element disposed at a fixed position relative to the sensed elements, and is for non-contact sensing the sensed elements. The sensor element is activated after a predetermined time delay in response to the non-contact sensing of the raw dough roll at the stop gate by the sensor apparatus. The first motor moves the stop gate out the interfering position in synchronism with the imprinter in response to the sensor element non-contact sensing one of the sensed elements corresponding to the registered position of one of the imprinting faces of the imprinter, whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyer and imprinted with a design by the one of the imprinting faces of the imprinter in the imprinting position thereof. 
   In lieu of the second sensor apparatus, an alternate embodiment of the invention incorporates a controller for recognizing the positioning of the imprinter in the registered position. In this embodiment, the first motor moves the stop gate out the interfering position in synchronism with the imprinter in response to the controller recognizing the positioning of the imprinter in the registered position after a predetermined time delay after the first sensor apparatus non-contact senses the arrival of the raw dough roll at the stop gate, whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyer and imprinted with a design in the imprinting position of the imprinter. In yet still a further embodiment, the imprinter has a plurality of offset imprinting faces, and when the imprinter rotates each of the offset imprinting faces is repeatedly moved between a registered position in preparation for imprinting a design on the roll before it leaves the stop gate and an imprinting position for imprinting a design on the roll after it has left the stop gate and is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyor. In this embodiment, the controller is configured to recognize the positioning of the imprinting faces in their respective registered positions. The first motor moves the stop gate out the interfering position in synchronism with the imprinter in response to the controller recognizing the positioning of one of the imprinting faces in its registered position after a predetermined time delay after the first sensor apparatus non-contact senses the arrival of the raw dough roll at the stop gate, whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to the imprinter by the conveyer and imprinted with a design by the one of the imprinting faces of the imprinter in the imprinting position thereof. 
   Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates other embodiments. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roll-forming apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmented, partially schematic top plan view of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the roll-forming apparatus taken alone line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmented perspective view of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a sensor apparatus adapted and arranged to indicate the arrival of raw dough balls at the roll-forming apparatus; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmented perspective view of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating the proximity of a grouper assembly relative to the sensor apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmented front perspective view of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a sensor apparatus for sensing the positioning of an imprinter; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmented rear perspective view of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a stop gate of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a fragmented front elevational view of a portion of the stop gate of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a fragmented front elevational view of an imprinter of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating a drum, with portions thereof broken away for illustrative purposes, mounted to a shaft; 
       FIG. 11  is a vertical sectional view of the portions of the imprinter shown in  FIG. 10  illustrating the attachment of the drum to the shaft; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a control panel of the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic electrical diagram of a suitable electric circuit for use with the roll-forming apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic representation of a controller and a motor for rotating an imprinter of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a roll-forming apparatus  10  associated with a conveyor  11  forming part of the usual raw dough roll conveying system for transporting raw dough rolls  12  to baking pans. Apparatus  10  of the present invention is mounted in any convenient manner above conveyor  11  to position, as best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a stop gate  15  in the path of rolls  12 . For the purpose of orientation and reference, apparatus  10  has opposed sides designated generally at  13  and  14 , respectively. Side  13  may be considered a left side of apparatus  10  and side  14  may be considered a right side of apparatus  10 . 
   Stop gate  15  is a grouper assembly of apparatus  10 . Referring also to  FIG. 8 , stop gate  15  includes a plurality of stop bars  16 , each of which is formed into a concave shape to intercept and stop an individual raw dough roll as the latter is being transported by conveyor  11  to apparatus  10 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , stop bars  16  are rigidly secured, each with a threaded fastener  17 , at spaced intervals to a rod  18  between opposed ends  18 A and  18 B thereof, which are in turn each pivotally attached to a connector  20  secured to a rotatable shaft  23  that is above, parallel to, and spaced from rod  18 . Connectors  20  couple rod  18 , and thus stop bars  16 , to shaft  23 , which has opposed ends  23 A and  23 B. End  18 A of rod  18  is directed toward end  23 A of shaft  23 , and end  18 B of rod  18  is directed toward end  23 B of shaft  23 . Because stop bars  16  are attached to rod  18  which is in turn coupled to shaft  23 , stop bars  16  may be considered carried by, or otherwise supported by, shaft  23 , in which rod  18 , together with the stop bars  16  it carries, pivots relative to shaft  23  and connectors  20 . 
   Looking to  FIG. 9 , the connector  20  associated with end  18 A of rod  18  has an upper end  21  and an opposing lower end  22 . Upper end  21  encircles shaft  23 , and lower end  22  is pivotally attached to end  18 A of rod  18  with a pivot pin  24 . Pivot pin  24  is rigidly affixed to lower end  22  of connector  20 , and extends into a corresponding blind bore  25  formed in end  18 A of rod  18 , and this arrangement can be reversed. 
   Connector  20  has an inner side  20 A facing inwardly toward stop bars  16 , and an outer side  20 B facing outwardly in the opposing direction toward a collar  30 , which encircles shaft  23  and is secured thereto with a set screw  31 . An outwardly biased compression spring  32  encircles shaft  23  and is captured between, and acts against, collar  30  and connector  20 . Compression spring  32  acts against collar  30  and outer side  20 B of connector  20  biasing inner side  20 A of connector  20  against another collar  34  encircling shaft  23  and which, like collar  30 , is secured to shaft  23  with a set screw  35 . Collar  34  is pinned to connector  20  with a pin  36 , which is rigidly affixed to collar  34 , and which extends into a corresponding bore  37  formed in end  21  of connector  20 , and this arrangement can be reversed. As seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , set screws  38  may be used to secure end  21  of connector  20  to shaft  23  after the foregoing assembly is completed. The attachment of connector  20  associated with end  18 B of rod to shaft  23  and to end  18 B of rod is identical to that of connector  20  associated with end  18 A of rod, and it is to be understood that the discussion of connector  20  associated with end  18 A of rod  18  and shaft  23  applies to connector  20  associated with end  18 B of rod  18  and shaft  23 . 
   The pivotal attachment of connectors  20  to ends  18 A and  18 B of rod  18  permits stop bars  16  to be mounted closely to conveyor  11  since movement of the assembly stop bar assembly, namely, the assembly of stop bars  16  and rod  18 , about shaft  23  causes stop bars  16  to contact conveyor  11  and pivot concurrently with rod  18  while the stop bar assembly is rotated by shaft  23 . The concave shape of stop bars  16  tends to center the raw dough rolls and thereby laterally align the rolls while the roll is being transversely aligned with other rolls in its row. 
   Each stop bar  16  is furnished with an attached resilient starting finger  38 . As shaft  23  rotates and stop bars  16  are moved out of the interfering position against conveyer  11  to enable rolls temporarily stopped thereby to start moving, the rolls occasionally tend to hesitate prior to starting. This hesitation can result in misalignment of the rolls in a row. Therefore, starting fingers  38  gently contact the top of the rolls and help to start the rolls by gently pushing them and also by lightly pressing downwardly to assist the frictional engagement of the roll with conveyor  11 . Stop gate  15  is maintained in its interfering position as shown in  FIGS. 2–5 , and is rotated out of the interfering position by the rotation of shaft  23  by a motor  40  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 , and  7 ). With specific reference to  FIG. 3 , it is to be understood that stop gate  15  rotates in counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arcuate arrowed line A when viewed from side  14  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of apparatus  10 . 
   Motor  40  is coupled to end  23 B of shaft  23  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , and when activated rotates shaft  23  360 degrees thereby moving stop bars  16  out of the interfering position to permit the previously stopped rolls to pass downstream to an imprinter  49  of apparatus  10  and then back to its starting position with stop bars  16  once again positioned in the interfering position. 
   Imprinter  49  includes a plurality of roll-imprinting imprinter dies or drums  50  mounted on a hub  51  ( FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  10 ). Imprinter  49  is mounted in place for rotation in a conventional and well-known manner, and drums  50  are positioned above conveyor  11  adjacent to, and also downstream of, stop gate  15 . Drums  50  are identical, and the ensuing discussion of one of the drums applies equally to each of the drums. With specific reference to  FIG. 3 , it is to be understood that imprinter  49  rotates in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arcuate arrowed line B when viewed from side  14  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of apparatus  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , each drum  50  includes a cylinder  52  encircled by an impression die  53  that in this embodiment defines three imprinting faces  53 A, 53 B, 53 C offset 120 degrees relative to one another. Impression die  53  is press-fit or snap-fit onto cylinder  52 , which encircles hub  51 , and which in turn encircles a shaft  54 . Each of the three imprinting faces of die  53  is formed having a negative of the desired design to be imprinted in a raw dough roll. Die  53  is formed of food grade UHMW polyethylene, or other similar material or combination of materials, and is of sufficient rigidity to imprint the soft raw dough and is also sufficiently flexible to press-fit or snap-fit over cylinder  52 . Die may readily be formed of cast aluminum with subsequent Teflon coating, if desired. Because die  53  has three imprinting faces offset 120 degrees relative to one another, for each 360 degree revolution of drum  50 , it has the capacity, therefore, to imprint three consecutive raw dough rolls. 
   A set screw  60  secures hub  51  to shaft  54 . A tongue  61  is carried by hub  51 , which extends along substantially the entire length of hub  51  and projects outwardly therefrom and into a corresponding groove  62  formed into the interior surface of cylinder  52  thereby preventing drum  50  from rotating relative to hub  51  and thereby seating drum  50  in a fixed attitude relative to hub  51 . A recess  65  is formed into the outer surface of hub  51 , which is engaged by a detent carried by cylinder  52 . This detent is held by a bore  66  extending through cylinder  52 , which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation of cylinder  52 . The detent is an assembly consisting of a spring-operated ball including a spring  70  maintained in bore  66  between a threaded plug  71  threadably secured to bore  66  at the outer end of bore  66  toward the inner surface of impression die  53  and a ball  72  projecting away from the interior surface of cylinder  52  at the inner end of bore  66  toward the outer surface of hub  51 . Spring  70  acts on ball  72  biasing it toward hub  51 . Ball  72  is snap-received into one of a plurality of recesses  65  formed at spaced intervals into the outer surface of hub  51  along substantially the entire length thereof, thereby positioning and holding drum  50  in relation to hub  51 , in which drum  50  can be released by forcibly moving it relative to hub  51 . 
   A longitudinal race  75  is formed into the outer surface of hub  51  extending along substantially the entire length of hub  51 . Race  75  interconnects recesses  65 . Drums  50  are fitted one-by-one onto hub  51  and are slid into place at spaced intervals along substantially the entire length of hub  51 . The mounting position for each drum  50  is a corresponding one of recesses  65 , in which the detent of each drum  50  is engaged to one of recesses  65 . To slide a drum onto hub  51 , it is taken up and oriented to register its groove  62  with tongue  61  and its ball  72  with race  75 . The cylinder  52  of the drum  50  is then slid over and onto hub  51  whereby its ball  72  runs along race  75  and tongue  61  of hub  51  runs along the groove  62  formed in the cylinder  52 . After determining the mounting position of drum  50  relative to hub  51  and, thus, the corresponding recess  65 , the drum is then slid along hub  51  until its detent engages that recess  65  thereby positioning and holding the drum relative to hub  51  at the selected mounting position. This process is repeated for each drum until all drums  50  are mounted to hub  51 . Because race  75  interconnects recesses  65 , the detent of a drum may interact with one or more of the recesses as it is being slid along hub  51  to its selected mounting position on hub  51 . 
   The present embodiment incorporates four drums  50 , and less or more may be used depending on specific needs or desires. The three imprinting faces of drums  50  are aligned relative to one another, in which drums  50  thereby cooperate forming three imprinting faces of imprinter  49  extending along the plurality of drums  50 , which are offset 120 degrees relative to one another, according to the principle of the invention. 
   Looking to  FIG. 1 , shaft  54  of imprinter  49  is continuously rotated by means of a belt  80  engaging a driven pinion or wheel  79  ( FIG. 3 ) attached to shaft  54  at side  13  of apparatus  10  and a drive wheel or pinion  81  attached to a motor  82 . The actuation or energizing of motor  82  drives and thereby rotates drive wheel  81 , in which belt  80  transfers the rotation of drive wheel  81  to the driven wheel carried by shaft  54  to provide continuous rotational force to shaft  54  and, thus, to imprinter  49 . 
   Looking momentarily to  FIG. 2 , at side  14  of apparatus hub  51  and a shaft  85  support pinions  90  and  91 , respectively, which are encircled by a belt  92 . When impeller  49  rotates, the interaction of belt  92  with pinions  90  and  91  rotates shaft  85 . Looking to  FIG. 3 , shaft  85  is mounted in place for rotation in a conventional and well-known manner just downstream of imprinter  49 . Shaft  85  supports a cleaning brush  86 , which peripherally engages drums  50  to brush particles of raw dough that may have adhered thereto to prevent these particles from obstructing the formation of subsequent rolls. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the end of shaft  54  at side  14  of apparatus is attached to an eccentric  100 , which is in turn journaled to an adjustable shaft  101 . The resulting reciprocating motion is imparted through adjustable linkage  102  to a shaft  103  extending through a flour hopper  104 . Hopper  104  is of conventional design and is utilized to provide a continuous “dusting” of drums  50  with flour to further inhibit the adhesion of the raw dough with dies  53 . The arrangement of eccentric  100 , shaft  101 , linkage  102 , shaft  103 , and hopper  103  is a conventional and well-known arrangement, further details of which will readily occur to those skilled in the relevant art and will not be further discussed. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a plurality of fingers  110  (only one is shown) extend downwardly from a rotatable member or shaft  111 , which is mounted for rotation in a conventional manner at a location upstream of stop gate  15 . Each finger  110  is positioned adjacent to a corresponding stop bar  16  and is in the path of a raw dough roll  12 . When a raw dough roll contacts a finger  110 , the finger  100  is pivoting upwardly out of the way of the roll, thus displacing, i.e., pivoting or rotating, shaft  111  in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arcuate arrowed line C in  FIG. 3  when viewed from side  14  of apparatus  10 . 
   Apparatus  10  incorporates roll arriving sensor apparatus  120 , which energizes/activates a time delay relay in response to displacement of shaft  111 , further details of which will be discussed as this specification ensues. According to the invention, sensor apparatus  120  includes a non-contacting sensor element  121  thereof mounted to apparatus  10  at a fixed position relative to shaft  111 , and a non-contacted sensed element  122  thereof mounted to shaft  111 , and this can be reversed, if desired. In this embodiment, sensor element  121  is mounted to a bracket  123  of apparatus  10  positioned above shaft  111  and sensed element  122 . 
   Before being displaced by raw dough rolls, shaft  110  is in a resting position positioning sensed element away from sensor element  121 . When shaft  111  is displaced by a roll interacting with finger  110 , sensed element  122  carried by shaft  111  is concurrently displaced toward sensor element  121  and is non-contact sensed thereby. Sensor apparatus  120  is exemplary of a non-contacting proximity switch. In response to sensor element  121  sensing sensed element  122 , a circuit is closed thereby energizing/activating a time delay relay. The rolls continue past fingers  110  and engage stop bars  16  in their interfering positions. A sensing of the arrival of the raw dough ball at stop gate  15  is indicted when sensor element  121  non-contact senses sensed element  122  in response to the displacement of shaft  111  by the raw dough ball. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , apparatus  10  includes imprinter registration sensor apparatus  130 , which is operative for activating motor  40 . In this embodiment, sensor apparatus  130  is located at side  14  of apparatus  10 , although it can be located elsewhere. Sensor apparatus  130  includes a non-contacting sensor element  131  thereof mounted to apparatus  10  at a fixed position relative to imprinter  49 , and non-contacted sensed elements  132  thereof mounted to imprinter  49 . In this embodiment, sensor element  131  is mounted to a bracket  133  of apparatus  10  positioned above hub  51  opposing sensed elements  132 . A collar  134  affixed to hub  51  at side  14  of apparatus carries sensed elements  132 . There are three sensed elements  132  in the present embodiment, which are offset 120 degrees relative to one another each corresponding to one of the three imprinting faces  53 A, 53 B, 53 C ( FIG. 11 ) of imprinter  49 , according to the principle of the invention. 
   Sensor element  131  non-contact senses sensed elements  132 . When impeller  49  rotates collar  134  rotates with it repeatedly and sequentially bringing sensed elements  132  in proximity to sensor element  131  one after the other. When one of sensed element  132  comes into proximity to sensor element  131 , and sensor element  131  is energized/activated, sensor element  131  non-contact senses it. Sensor apparatus  130  is exemplary of a non-contacting proximity switch. In response to sensor element  131  sensing one of sensed elements  132 , a circuit is closed activating motor  40  for a single cycle or revolution thereby rotating shaft  23  360 degrees, which thereby rotates stop bars  16  out of the interfering position in synchronism with imprinter  49  whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to imprinter  49  by conveyer  11  and imprinted with a design in a predetermined position thereon in an imprinting position of imprinter  49 . At the completion of this single 360 degree revolution of stop gate  15 , stop bars  16  are set back into the interfering position. A sensing of the positioning of one of the imprinting faces in its registered position is indicted when sensor element  131  non-contact senses the corresponding one of sensed element  132  in response to the rotation of imprinter  49 , in which the imprinting face corresponding to the one of the sensed elements  132  assumes an imprinting position when the raw dough rolls pass therebeneath imprinting a design on the raw dough rolls, according to the principle of the invention. 
   The speed of conveyor  11  is synchronized with the rotational speed of imprinter  49  so that the imprinting face corresponding to the sensed one of the sensed element imprints the selected design on the raw dough rolls as they pass beneath imprinter  49 . In other words, the moment of release of the rolls from their corresponding stop bars is synchronized to the rotation of imprinter  49  and, more particularly, to the imprinting face of imprinter  49  corresponding to the sensed one of the sensed elements  132 , according to the principle of the invention. After sensor element  131  activates motor  40 , it is de-energized until again energized by the time delay relay. 
   The operation of apparatus  10  will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, and particularly with the aid of  FIG. 3  and the schematic electrical diagram of  FIG. 13 . According to the principle of the invention, raw dough rolls  12  are deposited on conveyor  11  by conventional roll machines (not shown), which transports the rolls to roll-forming apparatus  10 . As the rolls  12  approach stop gate  15 , they are positioned in a transverse row, but are typically misaligned. Characteristically, one of the rolls  12  will contact its corresponding finger  110  prior to contact between the remaining rolls  12  and fingers  110 . Sensor element  121  non-contact senses sensed element  122  when one of the rolls makes contact with the finger  65  displace member/shaft  111  bring sensed element  122  into proximity with sensor element  121 . 
   In response to sensor element  121  non-contact sensing sensed element  122 , sensor element  121  dispatches a signal to a time delay relay  160  thereby closing a circuit energizing time delay relay  160 . In response to being energized, time delay relay  160  waits for a predetermined time delay, after which it closes an internal contact  160 A energizing sensor element  131 . A preferred time delay is 0.5–1.0 seconds. However, the time delay can be less that 0.5 seconds or greater than one second depending on specific needs. Time delay relay  160  adjustable with a potentiometer referenced in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , which allows the designated time delay provided by time delay relay  160  to be adjusted as needed, i.e., increased and decreased. The leading roll, having contacted its finger  110 , is first to be stopped by its corresponding stop bar  16 . The time delay provided by time delay relay  160  before sensor element  131  is energized permits the remaining rolls in the row of rolls to come in contact with their corresponding stop bars  16 . 
   After the rolls leave fingers  110 , shaft  111  rotates taking fingers  110  back into their resting positions and taking sensed element  122  out of proximity to sensor element  121 . Sensor element  121  is not able to non-contact sense sensed element  122  when it is moved out of proximity from sensor element  121 . All the while imprinter  49  is constantly rotating, as are sensed elements  132  it carries. 
   After sensor element  131  is energized, it is prepared and ready to sense sensed elements  132 . When the first one of sensed elements  132  comes into proximity with sensor element  131  by the rotation of imprinter  49 , it non-contact senses it thereby indicating that the imprinting face of imprinter  49  corresponding thereto is in its registered position. In response to sensor element  131  sensing the one of sensed elements  132 , it sends a pulse or signal energizing/activating motor  40  causing it to cycle the grouper assembly for a single 360 degree rotation rotating shaft  23  lifting stop bars  16  out of their interfering position permitting the rolls  12  to pass to imprinter  49  by conveyor  11 . The rolls travel on the conveyor  11  and arrive at imprinter  49  at the proper time in accordance with the synchronization between the speed of conveyer  11  and the rotational speed of imprinter  49  such that the imprinting face corresponding to the sensed one of the sensed elements  132  imprints the selected design on the raw dough rolls as they pass beneath imprinter  49 . After imprinting the rolls, imprinter  49  continues to rotate and the imprinting face of imprinter  49  that imprinted the rolls is cleaned by rotating brush  86 . 
   Motor  82  is defined as a device that is capable of rotating imprinter  49  at variable speeds, allowing its rotational speed to be adjusted to correspond with the speed of conveyer  11 . Preferably, motor  82  is a conventional variable speed electric motor, a conventional variable speed servomotor, etc. 
   The momentary pulse or signal from sensor element  131  enables motor  40  to remain energized to rotate the grouper assembly throughout the entire 360 degree cycle of rotation, after which stop gate  15  is returned to its interfering position in readiness to intercept and stop the next row of raw dough rolls. The foregoing process is repeated for the next row of raw dough rolls conveyed to apparatus  10  by conveyor. 
   It is to be understood that the imprinting face corresponding to the sensed one of the sensed elements  132  assumes an imprinting position when the raw dough rolls pass therebeneath imprinting a design on the raw dough rolls. After sensor element  131  senses one of sensed elements  132  and sends a pulse or signal energizing/activating motor  40 , sensor element  131  is de-energized before the next one of the sensed elements  132  reaches it. 
   Motor  40  moves stop gate  15  out the interfering position in synchronism with imprinter  49  by rotation of stop gate  15 , in which the position of each of the starting and ending positions of the rotation of the stop gate  15  is the interfering or “home” position. The rotation of stop gate  15  by motor  40  can be characterized as including a takeoff leg from the interfering or home position of stop gate  15 , a return or landing leg back into the interfering or home position of stop gate  15 , and an intermediate leg therebetween. Preferably, the takeoff leg is an acceleration leg or segment of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15 , and the return or landing leg is a deceleration leg or segment of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15 . 
   Motor  40  is defined as a device that is capable of rotating stop gate  15  at variable speeds, for allowing the speeds the acceleration, deceleration, and intermediate legs of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15  to be varied, and for varying the rate of acceleration of the acceleration leg, and the rate of deceleration of the deceleration leg. Preferably, motor  40  is a conventional variable speed electric motor, a conventional variable speed servomotor, etc. 
   Not only can motor  40  rotate stop gate  15  at variable speeds, it can also be configured to rotate stop gate  15  at a substantially constant speed through the cycle of rotation from the beginning of the takeoff leg, which is marked by the departure of stop gate  15  from its interfering or home position and into the cycle of rotation, to the ending of the landing leg, which is marked by the return of stop gate  15  back into its interfering or home position out of the cycle of rotation. 
   The acceleration leg of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15  is marked by an acceleration of stop gate  15  by motor  40  out of its interfering or home position. The deceleration leg of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15  is marked by a deceleration of stop gate  15  by motor  40  back to its home or interfering position. The intermediate leg of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15  is marked by a controlled and relatively constant speed of the rotation of stop gate  15  from the end of the takeoff or acceleration leg to the beginning of the landing or deceleration leg. The acceleration of the acceleration leg from the home or interfering position of stop gate  15  provides the efficient release of the raw dough rolls to imprinter  49 , and ensures the synchronization of the speed of conveyer  11  with the rotational speed of imprinter  49 . The deceleration of the deceleration leg back into the home or interfering position of stop gate  15  ensures that stop gate  15  is brought back gently down onto conveyor  11  thereby preventing conveyor  11  and stop gate  15  from being damaged. The controlled speed of rotation of the intermediate leg ensures the orderly movement of stop gate  15  from the end of the takeoff leg to the beginning of the landing leg. 
   In sum, the programmability of motor  40  and its variable speed capabilities allows the speed at which it rotates stop gate  15  to be selectively varied and controlled, allows the speed of the acceleration, deceleration, and intermediate legs of the cycle of rotation of stop gate  15  to be selectively varied and controlled, allows the rate of acceleration and the speed of the takeoff leg to be selectively varied and controlled, allows the rate of deceleration and the speed of the landing leg to be selectively varied and controlled, and allows the speed of the intermediate leg to be selectively varied and controlled. 
   Sensor elements  121  and  131 , time delay relay  160 , and motor  40  are coupled in signal communication with each other in a conventional manner allowing them to operate in concert with one another in the manner herein described. The operation and control of roll-forming apparatus  10 , including sensor elements  121  and  131 , time delay relay  160 , and motor  40  may be governed by a controller  170  ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ) that, in this example, is mounted to the downstream side of hopper  104  but can be located elsewhere. Controller  170  is configured to monitor and control the operation of roll-forming apparatus  10 , including sensor elements  121  and  131 , time delay relay  160 , and motor  40 , and functions to de-energize or otherwise de-activate sensor element  131  after sensor element  131  activates motor  40  as previously discussed. Preferably, sensor elements  121  and  131 , time delay relay  160 , and motor  40  are relayed through controller  170  whereby controller  170  facilitates the signal communication between sensor elements  121  and  131 , time delay relay  160 , and motor  40 . 
   Controller  170  is provided with indicator lights  174  and  175  as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , timing relay  160 , and a test button/switch  172 , and is a junction box for all connected components. Light  174  is illuminated momentarily by controller  170  to signal the closing of sensor element  121  signaling the arrival of a raw dough roll at stop gate  15 . Light  175  is illuminated momentarily by controller  170  when motor  40  is energized/activated by sensor element  131 . Test button/switch  172  is used to activate motor  40  to ensure it is working properly to cycle stop gate  15 . Controller  170  is also fashioned with potentiometer  178 , which is used to set and vary the time delay provided by timing relay  160  as previously discussed. Controller  170  incorporates a fuse box/holder  179  for circuit protection. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , motor  82  incorporates a controller  177  for controlling its operation. Controller  177  is configured with a variable speed control  178  for adjusting the speed at which motor  82  rotates imprinter  49 , thereby allowing the rotational speed of imprinter  49  to be easily adjusted to synchronize with the speed of conveyor  11 . 
   According to the principle of the invention, controller  177  can be programmed to constantly recognize the positioning of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  in their respective registered positions as imprinter  49  rotates. In a particular embodiment,  FIG. 14  illustrates a highly simplified schematic diagram of controller  177  and motor  82 . In this embodiment, controller  177  monitors an encoder  180  of motor  82 , and is also coupled in signal communication with time delay relay  160  (not shown in  FIG. 14 ) previously discussed. Encoder  180  is programmed to recognize the exact location of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  as imprinter  49  rotates and, in particular, the registered position of each of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  as imprinter  49  rotates. 
   In a particular embodiment, sensor apparatus  130  is deactivated or eliminated entirely and is supplanted by controller  177 , which takes over the duties normally carried out by sensor apparatus  130 . In controller  177  mode of operation of apparatus  10 , motor  40  moves stop gate  15  out the interfering position in synchronism with imprinter  49  in response to controller  177  recognizing the positioning of one of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  in its registered position after the predetermined time delay provided by time delay relay  160  after sensor element  121  non-contact senses the arrival of the raw dough roll at stop gate  15 , whereby the raw dough roll is conveyed to imprinter  49  by conveyer  11  and imprinted with a design by the one of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  in the imprinting position thereof. 
   In response to sensor element  121  non-contact sensing sensed element  122  in controller  177  mode of operation of apparatus  10 , sensor element  121  dispatches a signal to a time delay relay  160  ( FIG. 13 ) thereby closing a circuit energizing time delay relay  160 . In response to being energized, time delay relay  160  waits for a predetermined time delay after which it closes internal contact  160 A energizing encoder  180 . The leading roll, having contacted its finger  110 , is first to be stopped by its corresponding stop bar  16 . The time delay provided by time delay relay  160  before encoder  180  is energized permits the remaining rolls in the row of rolls to come in contact with their corresponding stop bars  16 . 
   As before, after the rolls leave fingers  110 , shaft  111  rotates taking fingers  110  back into their resting positions and taking sensed element  122  out of proximity to sensor element  121 . Sensor element  121  is not able to non-contact sense sensed element  122  when it is moved out of proximity from sensor element  121 . All the while imprinter  49  is constantly rotating, as are sensed elements  132  it carries. 
   After encoder  180  is energized, it is prepared and ready to recognize the position of each of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  in its registered position as imprinter  49  rotates. When the first one of the imprinting faces reaches its registered position as recognized by encoder  180 , controller  177  is responsive and sends a pulse or signal energizing/activating motor  40  causing it to cycle the grouper assembly for a single 360 degree rotation and rotating shaft  23  lifting stop bars  16  out of their interfering position permitting the rolls  12  to pass to imprinter  49  by conveyor  11 . The rolls travel on the conveyor  11  and arrive at imprinter  49  at the proper time in accordance with the synchronization between the speed of conveyer  11  and the rotational speed of imprinter  49  such that the imprinting face corresponding to the sensed one of the sensed elements  132  imprints the selected design on the raw dough rolls as they pass beneath imprinter  49 . After encoder  180  first recognizes the positioning of an imprinter face of imprinter  49  in its registered position, controller  177  deactivates it before it can recognize when the next one of the imprinting faces of imprinter  49  reaches its registered position. The foregoing process is repeated for the next row of raw dough rolls conveyed to apparatus  10  by conveyor. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , apparatus  10  may be configured with an integrated control panel  200  incorporating outputs or displays for showing the operations data of apparatus  10 , and inputs for setting the operational parameters of apparatus  10  including setting sensor elements  121  and  131  to desired sensitivity settings, setting the rotational cycle of motor  40 , setting the speed at which motor  82  rotates imprinter  49 , setting the speed of conveyor  11 , setting the time delay of time delay relay  160 , and setting the operational parameters of controllers  170  and  177 . 
   The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.