Methods for handling masa

Abstract

Masa handling methods for the continuous processing of masa type dough in conjunction with commonly available feed processing equipment, such as a masa extruder, an oven, or cooling apparatus. One masa handling method includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa stream output from a nozzle on the masa extruder. When the masa stream moves between the conveyors, it is gripped by their facing surfaces and moved away from the nozzle, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling method can also include feeding the masa to masa hoppers fed by at least two endless belt conveyors arranged in upstream and downstream positions relative to each other. The masa is transported along the conveyors and is automatically diverted into one masa hopper by a diverter gate operated by a controller that receives a signal from a sensor sensing a masa level within an associated one of the hoppers. The hopper has one or more rotating shafts having projections to remove gas bubbles from the masa and force it toward the sheeter rollers. A pair of primary rollers with scrapers can be provided within the hopper to roll the masa to an intermediate thickness before it passes between the sheeter rollers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the commercial manufacture of food or edible material, and, more particularly, to the treatment or preparation of farinaceous dough, banter, or pastry products including sheeting, laminating, or folding.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA tortilla is a baked grain product which originated in Mexico and is now widely consumed throughout the world. The word tortilla as used herein refers to such a baked grain product having a variety of shapes, including a circular shape, formed from a relatively flat dough. While the present invention concerns the production of tortillas, the invention also may also successfully used in the production of food products having other shapes.As the demand for tortillas has grown, the methods and the apparatus for automatically producing tortillas in high volumes has become well known. In the conventional automated system, a dough is produced by cooking whole corn and grinding it ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a masa handling system that has the following features: the safe separation of the masa into the individual logs; the automatic distribution of those logs to the masa hoppers requiring resupply; the automatic removal of gas bubbles from the masa within the masa hoppers; and the prevention of the masa curtain from becoming stuc

Problems solved by technology

However, under certain conditions, there may be some drawbacks associated with masa processing systems generally designed according to the prior art.

One such drawback can be the danger associated with the pneumatic cutter.

The pneumatic cutter has a reciprocating blade which could injure an attending worker if that worker places his or her hands under the operating blade.

Another drawback can be associated with the conveyors intended to transport the masa logs from the pneumatic cutter to the masa hoppers.

However, the conveyors designed according to the prior art simply move masa logs from the pneumatic cutter to one masa hopper.

Such a system could have evident disadvantages due to the labor cost of the attendants and the awkwardness of the manual channeling of masa to each conveyor.

Furthermore, if the system utilizes only one conveyor running past the masa hoppers in series, the unwanted labor expense is also necessary because human att

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