Improvements in the Moulding or Shaping of Dough into Loaves of Bread, Pastry, or the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Moulding or Shaping of Dough into Loaves of
Bread, Pastry, or the like.
I, JOHN CALLOW, of 33, William Henry Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Baker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the moulding or shaping of dough into loaves of
bread, or to the shaping of fancy bread or pastry, and it has for its object the
effecting of same in an expeditious and economical manner.
To this end I have
constructed the following machine comprising a series of compressing rolls in one
or more pairs, the space between the rolls of each pair being successively reduced
from the receiving to the discharging end, whereby dough or other material may
be drawn out into a sheet or sheets of uniform thickness.
As the dough comes from the reducing rollers it is fed on to a sloping board
opposite the end of the moulding machine.
In a suitable position between this sloping board and the moulder a frame is
hinged or pivotally mounted, carrying a row of circular, square or otherwise shaped
cutters, by means of which, lumps of dough are cut from the sheet of dough as
it is fed down the sloping board.
The frame and cutters full of dough are then swung down into an approximately
horizontal position for the depositing of the lumps of dough in place on the
moulder.
In conjunction with the above apparatus I provide vertically or otherwise reci-
procating rods corresponding in number to the cutters, which at the right instant
when the cutters have swung down over the moulder, descend, and force out the
lumps of dough therefrom; after which they are raised and the cutters are carried
up, to again cut a fresh series of lumps from the main sheet of dough. By this
means I not only cut from the sheet lumps of dough of the required size and
weight, but deposit said lumps each upon the exact spot on the moulder required.
Any fragments of dough left by the cutters are carried by a worm or belt and
elevator back to pass again through the rollers.
The moulder itself comprises a travelling carrier formed of an endless band of
jointed laths, or an equivalent of same, supported upon a strong frame.
This movable carrier or table is actuated by ratchets and levers or cranks or
other convenient means. To the carrier are fixed rotatable bowls or supports
which receive the lumps of dough from the set of cutters aforementioned, and
which as they travel forward are revolved by means of teeth around their edges
gearing with fixed longitudinal racks or other suitable means.
In the case of certain classes of bread it is found advisable not to rotate the
bowls as they more forward. Above the table are two or more sliding frames
carrying a series of strips of wood or other material arranged in couples, alternate
strips or laths being attached to the same frame.
To these frames a horizontal reciprocating motion is imparted by which the laths
are so actuated that the couples open and close alternately, the laths attached to

page_text: one frame alternately travelling towards and away from those attached to the
other frame.
The reciprocating motion imparted to the frames may be obtained by means of
bell crank levers actuated by cranks, cams or by eccentrics or any other convenient
means.
Simultaneously with the horizontal motion, a vertical movement is given to the
frames causing the strips or laths attached thereto to rise and fall as they are
approached to or carried away from each other. By this means a resultant motion
of the laths in the path of any desired curve may be obtained which will cause
them to shape dough or other material placed on the bowls between the laths as
may be desired.
Thus the dough or other material will receive a series of squeezes as it travels
along the table, the revolution of the bowls or supports in those cases in which
the same are rotatable under the dough, turning it round to receive pressure on
all sides.
At a certain point in this squeezing operation each lump of dough receives a
blow or pressure from above delivered by means of a ram of wood or other suit-
able means; there being a series of such rams corresponding to the number of
lumps of dough or other substance operated at the same time; which rams are
worked by suitable mechanism.
When the dough is near to the end of the moulder, each lump is caught in a
special apparatus consisting chiefly of a foursided rectangle capable of being con-
tracted or expanded whereby a part of the action in hand-moulding before
uneffected by machinery is successfully performed.
A row of these rectangular moulders is provided equal in number to the lumps
of dough in a row and they are worked by a system of laths or side pieces having
cross pieces provided above or beneath and to which are attached blocks working
in specially designed grooves and actuated by levers or in other suitable manner.
As the movable table travels round at the end and the bowls attached thereto
turn under the frame the lumps of shaped dough are deposited upon a travelling
band of canvas or other material beneath which are other similar bands: and
the bowls as they return along the under side of the frame are dusted with flour
or other suitable material by means of a revolving brush in order to prevent the
dough from sticking to them when re-filled.
Along these in turn the dough is conveyed, thus having time to aerate or prove
after the moulding or squeezing action to which it has been subjected.
From the last of these the lumps of dough are passed if necessary to another
apparatus similar to that in which they received the first moulding action and
treated therein in a like manner excepting that the action may be prolonged for
a greater length of time than in the first case. At the end of the second
moulder the lumps of dough are deposited upon a travelling tray or conveyor like
those before referred to. In the case of loaves formed of two pieces of dough as
in oven-bottoms and other kinds of bread this last conveyor is moved forward
only after every second delivery of the material, so that in each case two lumps
of dough will be deposited one above the other. Under ordinary circumstances,
however, this conveyor like the preceding ones travels with uniform motion.
When, after, or before the conveyor moves forward a row of bashers geared
with the machine are caused to descend thereby bashing the loaves, after which
operation the loaves are ready for baking, the bashers being arranged so that
there may be one at the end of each row of bowls attached to the moving table.
My machine may be operated by hand or power. It is obvious that the inven-
tion is not limited to the details of construction set forth as the same may be
modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.
For instance the means described for dividing the sheet of dough might be
replaced by a series of concentric knives dividing the sheet into strips combined
with a reciprocating guillotine at right angles to cross cut them into squares of
dough which would be automatically deposited on the moulder for treatment.

page_text: In certain cases it may be desirable to use only one frame and one set of laths
in the moulder, whereby the dough can be caused to fold over upon itself in the
shaping of the loaf, suitable means being provided to prevent the dough being
knocked from off its support: or the expandible, rectangular, moulders above
described may be substituted for the sliding frames and laths.
Doted this 10th dot of Anril 1800
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co..
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Moulding or Shaping of Dough into Loaves of
Bread, Pastry, or the like.
I, JOHN CALLOW, of 33, William Henry Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Baker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
uanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the moulding or shaping of dough into loaves of bread,
pastry and the like, and has for its object the effecting of the same by mechanical
means.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my apparatus with some parts not shown for
the sake of clearness, showing the several steps in the process of treatment;
Figure 2 a plan of a portion of same;
Figure another plan showing parts not shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 an end view of Figure 1 as seen from the feed end of the machine;
Figure 5 a part end view as seen from the delivery end;
Figure 6 a part side elevation of the delivery end of the apparatus as seen from
the rear side of the machine;
Figure 7 a side elevation of portion of Figure 1 enlarged;
Figure 8 a plan of the same;
Figure 9 a cross section through Figure 8;
Figure 10 an underneath plan view of a portion of Figure 8 still further
enlarged;
Figure 11 a view of the mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to
the frames carrying the laths or moulding boards;
Figure 12 a view at right angles to Figure 11 of other mechanism hereinafter
described;
Figure 1 an enlarged side view of a portion of the delivery end of the machine;
Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 details of the machine not shown in the other figures
for the sake of clearness;
Figure 18 diagrammatic view of devices which may be used in conjunction with
Figure 1 to give time for the dough to aerate or prove after the squeezing action
of the rollers:
Figure 19 an enlarged view of one of the boxes or moulds 21 shown in
Figure 10;
Figure 20 a diagrammatic view of said boxes and the arrangement for closing
in sides of same. In this figure for the sake of economizing space only one
mould 21 is shown between the pins 25 and 27, but my intention is in practice
to provide a row of such moulds,

page_text: Referring to Figure 1, a are compressing rollers of ordinary construction
whereby the dough is drawn out into a sheet of uniform thickness. As the dough
comes from these rollers it is fed on to a sloping board b. Between this sloping
board and the moulding machine are a series of circular, square or otherwise
shaped cutters e fixed on a shaft d, a throw or segmental circular movement
being imparted to the cutters by means of crank e, rod f and arm g.
These
cutters, as the sheet of dough is fed down the sloping board d by the rollers a,
cut out each a lump of dough of a given size and weight, and the throw of the
cutters c (as shown in dotted lines) deposit these lumps on trays or bowls h to be
moulded into the shape of loaves in the manner hereinafter described.
In order to give the dough time to aerate or prove after leaving the rollers a,
I may if desired place between the cutters c and the moulding devices hereinafter
described a series of endless bands not shown in Figure 1 but shown in
Figure 18. c is one of the cutters, the shaft and y the crank arm secured to said
shaft, f the connecting rod and e the crank by which circular movement is
imparted to the cutter. i are a series of endless travelling bands placed one below
the other, and so arranged that at one end the respective bands extend beyond
the band immediately above. The dough being deposited on the first band by
the cutters it is conveyed back and forth by each band in succession falling from
one band to the succeeding one and so on, and finally dropping on to the trays h
of the moulder. In the Provisional Specification, this arrangement was described
as being arranged so as to aerate or prove the dough after being moulded, but it
is obvious that it can be arranged previous to the moulding operation without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
In conjunction with the cutters, I may if desired provide reciprocating rods
corresponding in number to the cutters c (which in this case is six) which rods
at the right instant descend and force out the dough from the cutters, after which
they are raised and the cutters are turned back to again cut out a fresh series of
lumps of dough from the sheet fed forward by the rollers a. By this means I not
only cut from the sheet lumps of dough of the required size and weight, but
deposit said lumps cach upon the exact spot required on the top band or on the
trays h. Any fragments of dough left by the cutters fall down off the board b
and are carried by a worm or belt or elevator (not shown) back to pass again
through the rollers a.
Referring again to Figures 1 and 2 is a strong frame provided with a travel-
ling carrier formed of endless bands of jointed laths or chains, preferably the
Jatter. This travelling carrier which carries the rows of trays or bowls h runs
on sprocket wheels 7 and has imparted to it an intermittent travelling movement
by gear wheels m, ratchet pawl n connecting rod o, crank and gearing a driven
from the main driving pulley r, but any other equivalent mechanism may be used.
The bowls are fixed to the chains by means of cross pieces s. Figures 2, 8
and 15. Toothed wheels t, Figures 13 and 15 are also attached to the under
side of bowls h. The teeth of the wheels as the bowls travel forward engage the
stationary pin fixed on the iron bars of the framework in such a manner that
each time a tooth strikes a pin it turns a bowl on its axis through the part of
a revolution. In the case of certain classes of bread or shapes of loaves, it is
found desirable not to rotate the bowls, this being readily effected by removing
the bars v.
Above the travelling table are two pairs of moving frames ww, Figures 1, 3,
4. 11 and 16, having attached thereto by means of brackets a series of pairs
of opposing laths or boards of wood or other suitable material extending right
across the machine, one board in each pair being attached to the frames and the
other boards in each pair to the frames ¹³. To these a horizontal recipro-
cating motion is imparted in opposite directions by which the laths or boards
are so actuated that each pair opens and closes alternately. The boards attached
to one frame alternately travel towards and away from those attached to the
other frame w¹. Simultaneously with this horizontal receding and approaching

page_text: movement a vertical movement is given to the frames causing the laths or
boards to rise and fall as they are approached to or carried away from each
other. By this means the resultant motion of the laths or boards in the path
of any desired curve, may be obtained which will cause them to shape the dough
or other material placed on the bowls as may be desired. I have found that I
get better results by hanging the boards to the brackets from which they
are suspended as shown in Figs. 13, 16 and 17 and by attaching to such laths
or boards projecting strips which when the rams 15 hereinafter described ascend,
are struck, thereby causing the laths or boards to assume the position shown
in Figure 17.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 3, 4, 11 and 12, one frame consists
of pairs of parallel pieces ww and the other frame of parallel pieces, the
number of pieces in each pair being determined by the width of the machine, in
this case two being shown. Passing through holes in each frame of such a
size as to leave room for longitudinal play of the frames are stout cross-pieces y
to which are attached vertical rods fixed to cross-pieces 1, which latter are
raised or lowered by cams 2 keyed on the shafts 3, and thus impart to the mould-
ing boards a vertical motion. A horizontal movement is given to each pair of
frames in opposite directions by means of bell cranks 6, Figure 11, one of which
is coupled to the frame and the other to the frame at 5 by means of con-
necting rods 4.
The bell crank levers are keyed on shaft 7, links 8 connecting
the bell crank levers with the vertically reciprocating block 9, the latter being
fixed to a cross-piece 10 which is guided by rods 11, Figure 12, and actuated by
eccentrics 12 keyed on shafts B. 13 is a guide rod and 14 a guide plate for the
block 9. Owing to this combined movement the dough will receive a series of
squeezes by the opposing boards, and being partially rotated between each
squeeze will receive pressure on all sides. At a certain point in each squeezing
operation each lump of dough receives a blow or pressure from above by means
of a ram or pressure board 15, there being a series of such rams or boards 15
corresponding to the number of rows of bowls.. These rams or boards are carried
by frame 16 suspended from cross-pieces 17 which are actuated by cams 18 so as
to rise and fall in a similar manner to the frames w and w¹. 19 are guide rods
for both frames and 16.
As each row of bowls with the dough thereon passes near the end of the
machine it is operated upon by a row of special apparatus shown more parti-
cularly in Figures 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, and 20 but omitted from Figure 13 though
a blank space is there left to show the position it will occupy.
These comprise a
row of moulds or rectangular boxes 21 the sides of which are arranged to simul-
taneously close towards one another in such a manner as to operate upon all
sides of the dough at once, instead of squeezing the dough upon opposite sides
only, and then passing it on to another mould to be squeezed on other opposite
sides and so on. By this arrangement a homogeneous, compact, and thoroughly
worked dough loaf is formed. As the partly formed pieces of dough arrive under-
neath the row of moulds or boxes, the latter are lowered whereby each piece of
dough is enclosed on all sides by the moulds, the sides forming a square box being
sufficiently opened or expanded to completely surround the dough on each tray
or bowl. The sides of the box are then gradually closed in on all four sides, and
being raised simultaneously give the desired shape to the dough. A row of these
rectangular boxes or moulds is provided equal in number to the lumps of dough
in a row, and they are worked by a system of laths or side pieces having cross-
pieces provided above or beneath and to which are attached blocks working in
specially designed grooves and actuated by levers as will now be described. This
system of laths or side pieces comprises the pieces 22 which extend the full width
of the machine and form two of the sides of each mould or box, and the angle
pieces 24 on top of the pieces 22 which slide in the same plane as the pieces 22.
23 are the series of pairs of cross-pieces arranged at right angles to the pieces 22
which form the other two sides of each mould or box. To one of the pieces 24,

page_text: one of the cross-pieces 23 in each pair is attached, by an angle iron 24", and these
cross pieces pass through transverse slots in the side pieces 22 on opposite side.
To the other piece 24 the other cross pieces 23 are secured by means of another
angle iron 24, and these cross pieces also pass through slots in side pieces 22
on the opposite side to that on which they are fastened to piece 24. 25 are blocks
or pins fixed to the side pieces 22 near each end thereof by means of lugs 26
and angle pieces 26, and 27 are similar blocks or pins alternating with pins 25
fixed near each end direct to the angle pieces 24. The specially designed grooves
are contained in the sliding plates 29 and 30 arranged one above the other.
These grooves are indicated by the reference letter 28 and are arranged near each
end of the plates corresponding to the position of the pins 25 and 27. Through
these slots 28 the upright pins 25 and 27 pass. If therefore these plates 29
and 30 be slid in opposite directions, the inclined slots will operate the pins 25
and 27 causing the latter and consequently the side pieces 22 and cross pieces 23
of each box to approach or recede from each other, and thus reduce or expand
the area of the box or mould 21 according to the direction in which the sliding
plates are moved. By providing triangular pieces 30b as shown in Figures 19
and 20 an octagon shaped box will be formed when the sides are closed in but
they assume the position shown in Figure 20 when expanded a little. Now
supposing it is desired to operate upon the pieces of dough upon all sides at once
by closing in the sides of the mould or box 21. The plates 29 and 30 are slid
in opposite directions, and the pins 25 and 27 are thereby given a diagonal
movement, which owing to the pins 25 being attached to the sides 22 and the
pins 27 to the sides 23 causes the said four sides to approach each other simul-
taneously, and thus decrease the area of the boxes on all four sides at once.
addition to the inclined slots aforesaid, I can if desired provide grooves 29ª
arranged at the same angle as the slots, and have blocks 30 sliding in such grooves
and attached respectively to the same pieces as the pins 25 and 27.
The sliding
movement of the grooved or slotted plates 29 and 30 is effected by means of levers
or crank arms 31, Figures 5, 7 and 12, which are mounted on the shafts 33. Said
crank arms are connected to lugs 32 on the plates 29 and 30. To these cranks a
rocking movement is imparted by lever 34, Figure 12, actuated by cross bar 10
which is reciprocated vertically by eccentrics 12, the vertical movement of the
boxes or moulds being imparted by a cross-bar 35 and vertical rods 36 actuated
by cams 37 keyed on shaft 3, Figures 5, 1 and G. As described in connection
with the opposing squeezing laths or boards (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 11 and 16) a blow or
pressure from above may be imparted to the dough in the mould, this being
effected by the ram or pressure board 38, Figures 5 and 13, which is attached
to the vertically moving frame 16 so as to move therewith and at a given times
presses on the top of the dough being operated upon. A further set of rams 39,
Figure 13, is also provided which after the dough leaves these boxes or moulds 21
presses it down into the shape shown in Figure 13.
In
As the movable table travels round at the end and the bowls attached thereto
turn under the frame on their return movement the lumps of shaped dough are
deposited upon the travelling band or table 40, Figures 13 and 6, but to prevent
the bowls scraping the dough as they pass underneath on their return journey
the shaft 45 which supports one end of the band or table is capable of being
lowered directly the dough is deposited thereon. This is done by means of
cams 46, one on each side of the machine, keyed on shaft 47 gearing by means
of a pinion with wheel m Figure 1. This cam bears against a roller 48 which
with the axle 45 is carried in a sliding piece 49. In Figure 6 the table is shown
in its highest position. Thus at the moment when the dough is about to be
deposited on the travelling band, the cam 46 raises the travelling band 40 to
receive the dough, and immediately it is received the cam allows the slide 49
to fall, thus lowering the travelling band 40 at that end and allowing the bowl J
to pass underneath on its return journey. The travelling band or table 40 has
an intermittent travelling movement imparted to it by means of a chain gear-

page_text: ing 41. The shaft carrying the sprocket wheel at one end of this chain gearing
is operated by means of a pawl and ratchet mechanism 41, 42, 43 and 44. In
order that the dough may be deposited in exactly the right position on the travel-
ling table 40 a box or frame 50, Figures 13 and 14, is provided having trans-
verse partitions 5.1 to receive the lumps of dough. This frame is lowered into
position in time to receive the lumps of dough and afterwards raised to allow of
the dough in the shape of a loaf being moved along. This frame 50 is raised and
allowed to fall by a cam 52 keyed on shaft 53, Figure 14. On the same shaft is
another cam 54 designed to operate by means of lever 55 a series of bashers 56,
which are caused to descend at the proper time and bash the loaves as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 13, after which operation the loaves are ready for baking,
the bashers being arranged so that there may be one at the end of each row of
howls of the moving conveyor. The bowls as they travel back to receive more
dough are dusted with flour by a revolving brush 57, Figure 1, in order to prevent
the dough from sticking to them when refilled.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The cutters as the dough leaves the rollers a Figure 1, cut each a piece of
dough of a given size and weight and deposit them on to the endless band i,
Figure 18, whence they are conveyed by a series of such bands to the row of
bowls h, Figures 1, 2, 4 and 13, to be moulded into shape, or they may be con-
veyed direct to band . By using the bands however it gives the dough time
to aerate or prove after the squeezing action of the rollers. The lumps of dough
deposited on the bowls now travel forward until they arrive underneath the
rams 15 attached to the frame 16 which is raised by cams as before described to
allow of this. The laths or boards a carried by frames ww now close in against
the dough on each bowl, ascending at the same time, and when nearing the top,
the rams descend and press into the dough as shown in Figures 1 and 13, after
which they ascend to allow of the boards coming closely together, and in order
to prevent the dough sticking thereto as the boards separate, again begin to
descend so as just to graze the inside faces of the raised boards. The row of
bowls containing dough lumps being free from the opposing boards, now move
along to the next series of laths or boards and the lumps undergo the same
treatment, but while travelling between the two each piece of dough is rotated so
as to present another surface to be operated upon and so on until all the sides
have been treated. Each row of bowls with their dough lumps comes finally
beneath the apparatus 21, the boxes or moulds of which surround each piece of
dough on all sides and by means of the mechanism already described the sides
are closed in against the dough and at the same time caused to ascend, thereby
giving the shape required to each piece of dough. It only remains now for the
plungers 39, Fig. 13, which descend after the bowls have passed from underneath
the moulds to complete the shape. In the case of loaves formed of two pieces of
dough, as in cottage loaves, the conveyor 40 is moved forward only after the
second delivery of the mould so that in each case two lumps of dough will be
deposited one on top of the other as shown in Figure 13, and these when delivered
from the boxes are operated upon by the bashers 56, after which operation the
loaves are ready for baking. It will be evident that the machine may if desired
be entirely composed of boxes or moulds 21 whose sides operate all round the
dough simultaneously and that the slower method of operating on one side only
at a time may be dispensed with if so desired, but as this latter serves the pur-
pose of expelling the gases it may be found convenient to retain it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. An apparatus for moulding dough, comprising laths or boards arranged in
pairs to which is imparted a horizontal reciprocating motion in opposite directions,
in such a manner that the boards in each pair alternately travel towards or away

page_text: from each other so that the lumps of dough placed between them will receive a
series of squeezes on opposite sides, in combination with means for giving the
dough a partial rotation between each squeeze so that pressure is applied on all
sides in succession, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for moulding dough in which pairs of opposing laths or boards
are arranged to give a series of squeezes on opposite sides of the dough lumps.
causing the laths or boards to rise and fall when they are approached to or
carried away from each other, whereby a resultant motion of the boards in the
path of any desired curve can be obtained, so as to gradually bring the dough
into the required rounded form substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for moulding dough, an endless band or chain having a travel-
ling intermittent movement, and a series of non-rotatable trays or bowls carried
by the said endless band, and adapted to receive the dough lumps, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
4. In apparatus for moulding dough, a series of rotatable trays or bowls adapted
to receive the dough lumps, said bowls being carried by an endless band or chain
having an intermittent movement, and each having means whereby as the bowls
travel along they are caused to turn through the part of a revolution, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
5. The improved method of treating dough by machinery, which consists in
applying a squeezing pressure on opposite sides of the dough masses by means of
pairs of opposing laths or pressure boards, then releasing the pressure and passing
the dough on to other pairs of opposing laths or boards to be successively squeezed
between each, the dough masses being in the interval between each squeeze rotated
a part of a revolution, so as to present two other opposite sides thereof to the
squeezing action whereby the dough masses will be worked up and gradually
brought into the required form, substantially as described.
6. In apparatus for moulding dough in which opposing laths or boards are
arranged to give a series of squeezes on opposite sides of the dough lumps, a
series of vertically moving ranis or pressure boards adapted to alternately rise,
and permit of the boards closing together, and to fall when the boards separate,
so as to press the dough and just graze the insides of the boards to prevent the
dough sticking thereto, substantially as described.
7. In apparatus for moulding dough in which the sides of the moulds are
arranged to simultaneously close towards each other, in such a manner as to
operate on all sides of the dough lumps at once and to simultaneously separate
when the dough lumps have had imparted to them the necessary shape, in com-
bination with means for raising the moulds so as to permit of the shaped dough
being passed on to the next mould or delivered, substantially as described.
8. The improved process of treating dough by machinery which consists in
applying pressure all round the dough masses at once by means of moulds or boxes
capable of contracting on all sides simultaneously and at the same time of rising
upwards while the masses are subject to side pressure, whereby a resultant motion
of the moulds or boxes in the path of any desired curve can be obtained to impart
to the dough the required rounded shape, substantially as described.
9. Expanding and contracting moulds or boxes for treating dough, comprising
opposing laths or side pieces forming two of the sides of each mould or box,
auxiliary opposing pieces on top of said side pieces adapted to slide longitudinally
independently thereof, and opposing cross-pieces forming the other two sides of
each box, said cross-pieces intersecting the laths or side pieces at opposite sides
alternately, and fastened alternately at opposite ends to the auxiliary pieces, in
combination with pins or blocks secured alternately to the opposing side piece:
and to the auxiliary pieces, and worked by specially designed grooves or slots
in such a manner as to cause all the sides of the mould or box to expand or con-
tract simultaneously, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In apparatus for moulding dough, a series of endless travelling bands
placed one below the other, and so arranged that at one end the respective bands

page_text: extend beyond the band immediately above in such a manner that if the dough
masses be deposited on the top band they are conveyed back and forth along each
band in succession, falling from one band to another at opposite ends alternately,
until finally thev drop on to a delivery belt, whereby time is given for the dough
to aerate or prove, substantially as described.
11. The means for dusting flour on the trays or bowls of the endless travelling
belt when they are emptied and are travelling back to receive a fresh supply of
dough, substantially as shown and described.
12. The combination with the expanding and contracting moulds or boxes set
forth in Claims 6, 7 and 8, of pressure devices moving in line with the axes of
said moulds, and adapted to apply pressure on top of the dough in the moulds,
substantially as described.
13. In a machine or apparatus for moulding dough, the combination of a series
of compressing rollers by which the dough is drawn out into a sheet of uniform
thickness. a hoard on which said sheet is delivered, cutters pivotally mounted.
and so adapted as to cut lumps of any desired size and weight out of the sheet
of dough as it issues from the rollers and convey such lumps to a travelling band
or bands, substantially as described.
14. The apparatus for moulding dough constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the draw-
ings annexed.
Jan S
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co..
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London.