Importance

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Abstract

A masa handling apparatus 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. The masa handling apparatus includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa steam 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 at a faster speed, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling apparatus can also include at least two 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. The diverter gate is operated by a controller that receives a signal from a sensor sensing a masa level within an associated hopper. The masa handling apparatus can also include a self-feeding masa hopper that has an opening for receiving masa from its associated feed conveyor. The hopper has one or more rotating shafts having projections to remove gas bubbles from the masa and force it toward a pair of sheeter rollers.

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First Claim