CONTINUOUS PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A PITA CHIP

摘要

A method and apparatus for forming chips, for example, pita chips, from a continuous mass of dough. In a first aspect, the apparatus comprises a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a first trimmer. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are spaced apart a distance to form a gap. The first trimmer, which can comprise a liquid jet nozzle, is positioned above the gap. In a second aspect, the method comprises using a first conveyor to convey a continuous mass of dough to a first trimmer positioned over a gap between the first conveyor and a second conveyor. The method also comprises using the first trimmer to longitudinally trim a first portion of the continuous mass of dough to form thinner strips of the continuous mass of dough. The thinner strips can be integral with the first portion.

主权项

1. An apparatus for forming chips from a continuous mass of dough comprising a first portion of the continuous mass of dough and thinner strips of the continuous mass of dough, wherein the continuous mass of dough moves in a longitudinal direction along conveyors, wherein the first portion is cut in the longitudinal direction to form the thinner strips, wherein the thinner strips are integral with the first portion, and wherein the thinner strips are cut in a lateral direction to form the chips, said apparatus comprising:
a first conveyor; a second conveyor; a first trimmer, wherein the first trimmer is stationary, and wherein the trimmer comprises a liquid jet nozzle; wherein a second end of the first conveyor and a first end of the second conveyor are adjacent and spaced apart a first distance to form a gap; wherein the first trimmer is positioned above the gap; wherein the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the first trimmer are positioned so that as the first conveyor and the second conveyor move the continuous mass of dough in the longitudinal direction and as the first trimmer cuts the first portion in the longitudinal direction:
the first portion is supported by the first conveyor, andthe thinner strips are supported by the second conveyor; and wherein a top of the continuous mass of dough is unconstrained.