Patent ID: 7086325

Claim:
A single sensor actuation system for a driven belt of a tortilla press comprising: a signal emitting and retrieving sensor producing an emitted signal, retrieving a reflected signal, and sending a sensor return signal; an AC inverter, the sensor connected to the inverter; at least one detectable element that is permanently located in a fixed position on the belt and sensed by the sensor when said detectable element is aligned with the emitted signal of the sensor and generates the reflected signal; and a platen for pressing tortillas on the belt, the sensor retrieving the reflected signal from said detectable element and sending the sensor return signal to a motor driving the belt to stop driving the belt in response to the retrieving when the at least one detectable element is aligned with the emitted signal of the sensor, the AC inverter sending a signal to an actuator of the platen to bring the platen down to press a tortilla when the belt has stopped moving.