Importance

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Abstract

A mold plate assembly for a patty-forming apparatus includes a reciprocating mold plate having patty-forming cavities, with at least two rows of cavities aligned in a longitudinal direction, and a fill plate arranged facing the mold plate. The mold plate reciprocates between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge or knock-out position. Fill slots are arranged through the fill plate to fill food product into said mold cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position. A valve plate is provided facing the fill plate and having valve openings corresponding to the fill openings of the fill plate. The valve plate is reciprocated between an open and a closed position, to fill food product into the mold cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position, and the valve plate is in an open position, or to prevent flow through the fill openings when the valve plate is in the closed position. The valve plate allows for the use of multiple rows of cavities in the mold plate and ensures consistent filling in both the rearward and forward rows of cavities.

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First Claim