MXPA97005520A - Controller for m roller - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for feeding the dough portion to form it into a portion of laminated dough by rolling the dough portion on itself, the device comprising: a) first conveying means including an upper surface with a first discharge end and a first band movably mounted on said first conveyor means, said first discharge end being non-reciprocal relative to the ground during the operation of the feeding device of the dough portion; b) first driving means operatively associated with said first means operable carriers for effecting the movement of said first band of said first conveyor means at a first transport speed in a first direction: c) reciprocal means, placed below said upper surface of said first conveyor means and including a second discharge end , said second discharge end being means that are movable in relation to such first discharge end to move said first moving band of reciprocity relative to said first discharge end, and d) second driving means operatively associated with such reciprocal means operable to effect the movement of said means of reciprocity at a second rate of reciprocity in the first direction and in a second direction opposite a third rate of reciprocity

Description

MASS ROLLER CONTROLLER The present invention generally relates to a dough feeding system for use in the preparation of dough products by rolling and rolling. More specifically the invention relates to an apparatus and method for flexibly and precisely controlling the winding of a variety of preformed dough portions, to avoid piling, stretching, breaking, or other unwanted problems. The substantial flexibility and precision of the dough rolling system is achieved by the use of an independent controller for the reciprocal conveying portion of the dough roll. In the production of different types of dough products, for example, cakes, half-moon buns, biscuits, etc., it is convenient to provide laminated dough comprising a plurality of layers of alternate fat (e.g., oil or shortening) and dough. The precise number of layers of laminated dough and the thickness and other characteristics of the dough are desired in a variety of a given case depending on the particular product being prepared. The characteristics of ideal rolled mass also vary according to the way in which the dough is to be treated in layers in the subsequent stages of the manufacturing process for a given dough product. Given the variability in the desired winding parameters and due to the particular mass and winding requirements for some product, they must be integrated into the operation of the entire mass feed system (ie, the "mass feed line"). ) when the parameters change, it is extremely advantageous to have the mass rolling device, which is adjustable to allow relatively easy variation in mass rolling, but an apparatus which, nevertheless, can have precise control. Conventional winding or rolling machines use several electromechanical devices to carry out the rolling of the dough. However, in general, the above dough winding machines comprise two essentially basic motor drive conveyors positioned at 90 degrees in relation to one another. An upper conveyor commonly referred to as the "feed conveyor" has a portion that is reciprocal at the rear and front to deposit layers of dough on a second conveyor placed at the bottom, commonly referred to as the "feed out" or "exit conveyor". Conventional feed conveyor typically comprises several parts, including mainly a feed belt, which is supported by the underlying support apparatus, to move the dough forward and a reciprocal shutter, which is reciprocal in relation to the feed belt causing the dough to roll on the output conveyor. In conventional systems, a single drive means of the feed conveyor (i.e., motor and gear unit) effects movement of both the feed belt and the reciprocating plug of the feed conveyor. The reciprocal plug may include one or more separate plug bands, which is also driven by the same simple drive means. Alternatively, the reciprocal shutter itself can simply interact with the feed band to advance and reciprocate. Since both the feed conveyor belt and the reciprocal sealing mechanism (with or without additional belts) are controlled by the same simple drive means, any desired adjustment for the operation of either the feed conveyor or the shutter mechanism affects the operation both in the feed conveyor as in the shutter in a conventional dough roll. (In contrast, it is normal for the output conveyor to have a different and controlled drive means independent of the one used to drive the feed conveyor and its different sub-elements). Usually, the structure, speed and placement of the driving means, including the motor, gears, sprockets, arrows and belts and other electromechanical components for the feed belt and reciprocal sealing of the conventional feed conveyor determine, among other things, the speed, direction and path length of the feed conveyor. Also, the construction and positioning of the feed conveyor determines the path uniformity of the feed conveyor and the position of the feed conveyor in relation to the output conveyor at all points during the rolling of the dough. Accordingly, for a conventional feed conveyor, the construction of the simple driving means of the feed conveyor is important in determining the manner in which the feed conveyor will operate to wind the fat-treated mass. Since the electromechanical components of the conveyors of a conventional winding determine or essentially fix the winding characteristics without altering or changing the fundamental structures of electromechanical components within the conventional winding apparatus. This is true even in dough rolls using variable transmission systems, which are operatively interposed between the conveyor drive means and the reciprocal plug, to assist the variability to control the reciprocal plug. Specifically, said devices allow the linear speed of the seal to be varied with respect to the speed of the band, but with somewhat limited precision. Furthermore, said apparatus still does not allow the obturator trajectory length to be adjusted, ie, the "sequence length", the sequence length being fixed by a linear meshing. To affect this change, the physical components must be changed. With only one conveyor drive means, certain operational characteristics can not be fine-tuned, so the most preferable independent optimization of both the band and the shutter operation is not completely possible in conventional dough rolls; that is, certain aspects of operation of the feed conveyor are subject only to more or less coarse control. For example, the manner in which the reciprocal shutter decreases as it approaches the end of the trajectory in a given direction and accelerates as the trajectory in a given direction begins (ie, "acceleration / deceleration profile"). ) is not subject to precise control on a conventional dough roll with a single drive means. Although the means of compensation and indirect control means can be added to divert the limitations of using a single drive means the only drive means still limits the flexibility at the end. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,622,890 and 4,821,634, originally assigned to the assignee of the present invention (now assigned to Molíne Co. of Duluth, MN) and naming Peter SJwanson as inventor, discloses dough rolls generally of the kind intended to be used. improve by the present invention. The '890 patent discloses a dough roll having a feed conveyor and an output conveyor, the bands of which run perpendicular to each other. The '634 patent describes a dough rolling machine in which the feed conveyor and the output conveyor belts operate in parallel, ie, "in line". Both patents show or treat different driving means for the reciprocating and output conveyors, but they show and treat a single driving means to control the operation of the band and the sealing system of the reciprocal conveyor, since it is normal in roller systems of conventional dough. The Swanson patent apparatus achieves some limited control of the plug of the reciprocal conveyor as a result of the use of an air cylinder to effect the reciprocation of two additional sealing system bands. However, while the air cylinder allows some additional control, the air cylinder (similar in a system with a variable transmission system interposed) is also in drive connection with the same simple drive means for the feed conveyor.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to the provision of greater control and flexibility of mass wrapping by independently controlling the feed conveyor belt and the reciprocal seal. The present invention allows the conveyor belt and shutter mechanism to be adjusted in relation to each other and in relation to the output conveyor, both as independent elements or in combined operation. The present invention also provides electronic control of a driving means to control the movement of the reciprocal sealing mechanism, allowing precise control and flexibility of mass rolling characteristics. The controller must be able to precisely affect the control of the speed of the obturator reciprocity in relation to the speed of the feed belt, the position at which the mass will begin to be deposited on the output conveyor and the width of the mass since it is wound on the output conveyor. The shutter controller shall be able to determine the precise relative position of the shutter of the conveyor and be able to control the speed and acceleration of the shutter, including when the direction of the path is inverse. The shutter driver should also be able to provide protection on the path to cancel any inappropriate wide movement of the shutter that could be caused by, for example, the inappropriate entry of data by a human operator. Accordingly, the present invention provides a web of dough that feeds the device to form a dough portion in a portion of laminated dough by rolling the dough portion on itself. Specifically, the feeding device comprises portions of dough comprises a feed conveyor having first transport means with a top surface including a first discharge end and a web that is movably mounted on the first transport means. The first discharge end of the first transport means are non-reciprocal in relation to the ground during the operation of the dough portion feeding device. The feed conveyor of the dough net feeding device also includes a first drive means (i.e., motor and roller gear apparatus) in combination with the first operable conveyor means for effecting the movement of the first belt. means of transport at a first transport speed in a first direction. Additionally, the feed conveyor includes a reciprocal means or shutter mechanism positioned below the top surface of the conveyor means. The reciprocal means include a second discharge end. The second discharge end, the reciprocal means is movable relative to said first discharge end to change the band of the conveyor means in reciprocal movement in. relationship with the first discharge end. The feed conveyor also comprises a second driving means in combination with the reciprocal means in the first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction in a third reciprocal speed. Figures IA and IB are elevational views of the dough roll showing the conveyor belt, the reciprocal plug, the conveying means of the conveyor belt and the driving means for the reciprocal plug. Figure 2 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the dough roll, including the feed conveyor, dough paths and reciprocal plug of the feed belt. Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the drive means of the conveyor and the servo-mechanism of the sequence comprising the means for driving the reciprocal plug. Figure 4, is a first lateral elevation of the servomechanism device of sequence and related mechanisms. Figure 5 is a second side elevation of the servo mechanism of sequence and mechanism attached. FIGS. 6A and 6B are side elevational views of the dough roll as an extended and intermediate position of the reciprocating obturator path. Referring to Figures IA and IB, and 2, reference numeral 10 generally designates a dough winding apparatus which is operable to take a preformed dough portion 12 and forming the dough portion 12 in a plurality of layers, one on top of the other, forming a rolled or rolled dough 14. The dough roll 10 generally includes a feed conveyor 16 and an output conveyor 18. The rolled dough 14 is shown deposited in roll condition on the conveyor exit 18 to remove it to a subsequent processing stage / apparatus (not shown). In the present embodiment, the feed and output conveyors 16 and 18 are shown oriented perpendicular to one another. However, this orientation is merely illustrative and the conveyors can be differentially oriented, including, for example, in parallel.

Attempts are made to use drive means for use with the dough roll 10. The output conveyor 18 could be driven by its own drive means (not shown). Additionally, the feed conveyor 16 is driven by two separate driving means, a first driving means 20 for effecting the operation of a feeding conveyor belt 22, and a second driving means 2 for effecting the operation of the reciprocating shutter 26. of the feed conveyor 16. The drive means 20 includes electromechanical devices of the kind generally known in the art for use on the rotary feed conveyor belt 22 completely through a rotation path 28. The rotation path 28 is formed by and is supported, where appropriate by a plurality of rollers 30. As it is formed, the path of rotation 28 provides the feed conveyor 22 with an upper surface 32 on which the dough portion 12 is carried forward towards the reciprocal shutter 26. Also, as explained in more detail later on ante, the rotation path 28 is operative to accommodate and vary with the movement of the reciprocal plug 26. The reciprocal plug 26 is placed below the upper surface 32 of the feed conveyor 22 so that, at a first end of discharge of the upper surface 32 wherein the dough portion 12 falls from the upper surface 32, the dough portion 12 is deposited on a portion of the feed conveyor 22 being usually maintained in reciprocal movement relative to the first discharge end of the upper surface 32 by the reciprocal plug 26. In the preferred embodiment, the reciprocating plug 26 is in longitudinal alignment with the feed conveyor 22. Specifically, the drive means 20 includes a primary drive motor 34 (see also Figure 3) which is in drive coupling with the conveyor belt 36, the complementary pulley system 38 and the conveyor belt 40 to effect the movement of the feed conveyor belt 22 along the path of the rotation 28 in a known manner. It should be noted that while the means of drive 20 causes the conveyor belt 22 to operate in a manner to cooperate with the reciprocal seal 26 and allowing the reciprocal seal 26 to actually contact and move the feed conveyor 22, the drive means 20 does not effect per se. same the reciprocal shutter movement 26. The drive means 24 (including the microp sprayer) effects movement of the reciprocal plug 26 independent of the drive means 20. That is, there is no mechanical tie between the separate drive means 20 and 24. The drive means 24 comprises a servo drive device 44, the operation of which is directly controlled by a microprocessor that is part of the drive means 24. In a preferred embodiment, the sequence servo device 44 is indirectly controlled by a central processing unit (UPC) 46, which is operable to control all the different portions and functions of the dough roll 10, including drive means 20. Alternatively, the drive means 20 may have a separate controller, in any case, the UPC 46, allows the programming of several parameters (discussed below) ) to effect the precise operation of the drive means 24 through its microprocessor. In the preferred embodiment, the UPC 46 includes an input device in the form of a keyboard (not shown), which uses a human operator to control operation parameters for the reciprocal shutter 26. The sequence servomechanism device 44 is in drive connection with the linkage servo device 48. The linkage apparatus 48 is reciprocal in precise response to the movement of the sequence servo device 44. In turn, the servomechanism device device 48 is in drive connection with rolling support means 50 and 52, each of which comprises one or more rollers to contact and advance the conveyor belt 22 to adapt the reciprocity of the shutter of reciprocity 26 caused by the precise rotary movement in opposite directions by the servo drive device 44. (See Figures 3, 6A 6B). The support means of the laminator 52 is placed at a second discharge end of the conveyor belt 22 in which the final dough portion 12 falls from the feed conveyor 22 on the exit conveyor 18. Since the support means of laminator 52 are maintained in reciprocal motion by the sequence servodrive device 44 and the server attachment apparatus 48, the mass portion 12 is deposited in coiled form on the exit conveyor 18. It will be evident that the precise manner of The winding depends on the speeds of the conveyors in relation to one another and on the relative positions of the second discharge end and the exit conveyor. Therefore, it will also be apparent that the present invention makes the controllable winding manner accurately by the servomechanism of the sequence device 44, which is programmable by means of a microprocessor (not shown) to control the speed of movement and the length of the trajectory of the servomotor binding apparatus 48 and, therefore, the support means of the laminator 52. Although in the present embodiment a sequence device driven by the servomotor is described, it is understood that any suitable driving means could be used. to control the shutter mechanism 26.

More specifically, it will be noted that the support means of the laminator 52 has a scale of movement 54 through which the second discharge end travels. The potential change in the length of the rotation path 28 caused by the movement variation 54 of the support means of the laminator 52 must be offset in order to keep the conveyor belt 22 in tension and travel at a suitable speed. To achieve this, the present invention also utilizes the servomechanism joining apparatus 48 to effect movement of the support means of the laminator 50. The laminator support means 50 also has a movement scale 56 associated therewith. The movement scales 54 and 56 are made complementary to each other so that, as the support means 52 moves outwardly, the support means of the laminator 50 moves outward at a sufficiently slow speed to retain the tension in the conveyor belt 22. As the support means of the laminator 52 moves inwardly, the support means of the laminator 50 moves inwardly at a sufficiently increased speed to also avoid the presence of loosening in the conveyor belt 22. (See Figures 6A and 6B). To provide some additional detail, it can be seen that the servomechanism joining apparatus 48 advances and delays the change of position of the second discharge end at the end of the support means of the laminator 52 to facilitate winding, the joining apparatus of servomechanism 48 being mechanically connected to the rolling means 52 and the rolling means 50. As the support means of the rolling mill 52 moves outwards, the total distance of the path of the conveyor belt 22 remains unchanged since, at the same time, the support means of the laminator 50 also moves outwards. This results in complementary changes in the movement scales 54 and 56, affecting the path length of the web 22 towards and around the laminators 55A and 55B of the laminator support means 50 and 52, respectively. That is, as the reciprocating plug 26 advances, the length of the path of the conveyor belt 22 toward and over the laminator 55A decreases as the advancement of the support means the laminator 50 moves the laminator 55A closer to the first discharge end of the conveyor belt 22. At the same time and in a corresponding amount to maintain the tension in the web 22, the path length of the conveyor belt 22 towards and over the mill 55B increases as the advance of the media of the laminator 52 move the laminator 55B past the first discharge end of the conveyor belt 22. The process reverses when the reciprocal seal 26 retracts. During retraction, the length of the path of the conveyor belt 22 to and on the laminator 55A increases as the retraction of the laminator support means 50 moves the laminator 55A past the first discharge end of the conveyor belt 22 At the same time and, again, in corresponding quantity, the path length of the conveyor belt 22 towards and over the roller 55B decreases since the retraction of the support means of the laminator 52 moves the laminator 55B closer to the first end. of discharge of the conveyor belt 22. Therefore, it is evident that the positions of the rolling means 50 and 52 in relation to one another and to the first brazing end of the upper surface 32, will allow the conveyor belt 22 to remain in rotation with the required amount of tension. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the particular apparatus for achieving the reciprocity described above should not be limited to the precise apparatus described herein with this preferred embodiment. Referring to Figures 3-5, the reciprocating plug 26, driving means 20 and 24, and servomechanism connecting apparatus 48, are described in greater detail herein. The servomechanism sequence device or apparatus 44, among other things, comprises a state of the servo motor 45 of the art having a resolution means for use in order to precisely determine the amount and speed of rotation of the servomotor. The information provided by the resolution device available from the microprocessor of the servomechanism sequence device 22 and the UPC 46 to control the servomotor.

The servo sequence device 44 is linked by a normal gear apparatus 58 which reorients the plane of rotation 90 degrees, (in the preferred embodiment described herein, the reorientation of the rotation plane achieves a significant saving of space in the housing global roll for dough 10). A cog 60 of the gear apparatus 58 drives a chain 62 that rotates the sprocket 64. The sprocket 64 is connected to an arrow 66 used to rotate a roller 68 that rotates a band 70. In the preferred embodiment, the band 70 it is formed to rotate in a reciprocal movement by the servomechanism sequence device 44, but the band 70 has a finely adjustable rotation, limited in rotation to less than half. This allows a clamping support 72, which is placed on the upper side of the band 70 to be retained on the upper side of the band 70 and the reciprocal movement of the effect of a reciprocal bar 74 comprising part of the device. servomechanism sequence 44. The reciprocity bar 74 is supported from the contact of the servomechanism and gear apparatus by a support connector 78 slidably connected to a support bar 80. The reciprocal bar 74 connects the support means or the laminator 50. and 52 through a link bracket 82. The link bracket 82 is connected to a servomechanism connecting rod 84 which helps to propel the rolling support means 50 and 52 in cooperative movement as described above, specifically, the servomechanism connecting rod 84 pulls a chain 85 which rotates the gear 86 to move inwardly (towards the servomechanism) to the support means of the laminator 50 and 52, that are physically connected to operate in concert with each other. (See Figures 6A and 6B). Another sprocket 88 and chain 90 (see Figure 3) operate to rotate the rollers in the support means of the laminator 50 when the conveyor belt 22 is in motion. Consequently, it can be seen that the present invention is effective to precisely control the mass rolling process by controlling and driving the operation of the sequence reciprocity independent of the conveyor belt. Since the central electronic controls are used to receive data and transmit control information to the drive means for the reciprocal shutter and to receive data from the drive means of the conveyor belt, the speed of the reciprocal shutter 26 of the present invention can be adjusted in relation to the speed of the conveyor belt 22 using the centrally processed information. Specifically, the present invention allows a human operator to electronically specify a speed "ratio" (such as between the conveyor and the shutter) to set the speed of operation and reciprocal shutter 26. The present invention, therefore, allows greater control and flexibility in mass rolling, allowing independent control of the characteristics of the winding, including winding deviation, winding sequence and winding width. The winding deviation is position 92 on the exit conveyor 18 where the mass is first deposited on the exit conveyor. The winding sequence 94 is the total distance of the trajectory of the shutter 26 from the deflected position 92, which determines the winding width of the rolled dough 14. Since the shutter mechanism 26 is controlled independently of the feed conveyor belt 22, each of these winding characteristics can be precisely adjusted without requiring significant changes of the overall system 10. The increased flexibility for selecting the winding characteristics allows a variety of products to be made in the same roll without requiring a large line delay and re-equip the equipment to make different products as with previous dough rolling devices. Along the same lines, the present invention allows a human operator to specify a "deviation" position 92 where the mass on the exit conveyor 18 will begin to be wound. An operator can also specify how much reciprocal plug 26 will travel from the position of the plug corresponding to the deviation to determine a "sequence" 94 or the total width of the path and the width of the wound mass 14. (See Figure 2). In another embodiment, the mechanism of the shutter 26 can be secured in a single position without reciprocation while the feed conveyor 22 continues its rotation path. This allows yet another degree of flexibility in that the overrun equipment can simply function as a conveyor without rolling the dough. Having the ability to control the shutter 26 independently of the drive means of the conveyor 20, the need to remove the entire winding apparatus 10 from the dough processing line is eliminated if winding for a particular product is not desired. The present invention also allows precise control of the servo sequence device 44 so that its speed and acceleration / deceleration profile can be finely controlled through its rotational movement. This allows the movement of the reciprocating plug 26 to be adjusted to prevent stretching of thin dough portions, or to place extra tension through a dough portion when desired. Referring to Figure 5, a further feature of the present invention is described. The present invention incorporates over-trajectory protection to prevent excessive movement of reciprocal plug 26. In the preferred embodiment, the invention includes path sensors 96, 98 and 100. These sensors work in conjunction with a positioning element 102 (connected to the clamping support 72) and the microprocessor of the reciprocal conveyor 16 to determine when the amount of rotation of the band 70 is very big. This can be caused, for example, if a human operator specifies a small deviation (negative) in an unusual way or gives an excessive sequence (positive). The holding support 72 and positioning element 102 should normally move only between the sensing element 96, which is positioned to correspond to a zero deviation for the reciprocal conveyor 16, and an interior location to the sensing element 98, the position of the which corresponds only to slightly more than maximum permissible sequence for rolled mass 14. Consequently, if the positioning element 102 is detected by any positioning sensor 96, 98 or 100, it will be known that the maximum (or more than maximum) trajectory has taken place.; any necessary corrective action will be carried out then. Excessive movement in the direction of the positioning sensor 94 is known as a "positive" overtravel; the excessive movement in the direction of the positioning sensor 96 is known as "negative" over-trajectory. While the above description seeks to fully capture the present invention, it should be understood that the form of this invention is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment, as illustrated and described.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device for feeding the portion of dough to form it into a portion of rolled dough by rolling the dough portion on itself, the device comprising: a. first conveyor means including an upper surface with a first discharge end and a first conveyor movably mounted on said first conveyor means, said first discharge end being non-reciprocal relative to the ground during the operation of the feeding device of the dough portion; b. first driving means operatively associated with said first operable conveying means for effecting movement of said first band of said first conveying means at a first transport speed in a first direction; c. reciprocal means, positioned below said upper surface of said first conveyor means and including a second discharge end, said second discharge end being means that are movable relative to said first discharge end to move said first band in reciprocal movement in relation to said first discharge end; and d. second driving means operably associated with such reciprocal means operable to effect the movement of said reciprocal means at a second rate of reciprocity in the first direction and in a second direction opposite a third rate of reciprocity. A device for feeding a portion of dough according to claim 1, further comprising: second conveying means having a second band placed below said reciprocal means or operable to receive a dough portion from said reciprocal means, said means of reciprocity and said second transport means being cooperatively operable to provide a portion of rolled dough in said second band. 3. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 2 wherein: said first transport means and said reciprocal means are in superposed relation and generally are in longitudinal alignment. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 3, wherein: said second driving means are controllable to effect the movement of said reciprocal means in said second speed, said second speed having a relation with said first speed for effecting the winding of said portion of mass in said second conveying means. 5. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 3, said reciprocal means further comprising: a. first support means for the laminator connected to said second discharge end and for moving said second discharge end; and b. a second support means of the laminator placed above said laminating support means, said second laminating support means in contact with said lane and being movable with one another for reciprocation of said first band in order to maintain tension in such first band as it is transported by such first means of transport. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 5, said reciprocal means further comprising: connecting means connected between said second driving means and such first and second operative means of supporting the rolling mill operable to cooperatively move said first and second laminating support means operable to cooperatively move said first and second support means of the laminator in relation to one another. 7. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 6, said second driving means comprising: a servomotor operable to effect the movement of said reciprocal means in said first and second directions at said second and third speeds of reciprocity . 8. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 7, wherein: said second means of transport comprises a first microprocessor and wherein said servomotor is electronically controlled by said microprocessor which is operably programmed to effect movement to said servomotor and said reciprocal means and is programmable to selectively effect the movement of said means of reciprocity in said first and second directions at the second and third predetermined reciprocal speeds. 9. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 8, said first driving means comprising: a second operable microprocessor for electronically controlling said first driving means for effecting the movement of said first driving means in said first direction at said first speed, said second driving means being operable to effect the movement of said reciprocal means at the second and third reciprocal velocities in relation to said first speed. 10. A device for feeding dough portions according to claim 9, said second driving means further comprising: means for determining the relative position for providing said microprocessor with said relative position information for use in order to control the movement in said servomotor and said reciprocal means in relation to a known position of said servomotor corresponding to a known apposition of said second discharge end. 11. A device for feeding portions of dough according to claim 10, said device for feeding dough portions further comprising: means for entering control information in order to control the movement of said servomotor and, therefore, of said means of reciprocity. A mass portion feeding device according to claim 11, wherein: said means for entering control information are operative to receive and provide said predetermined control parameters of the microprocessor to determine said second and third reciprocal velocities in relation to such a first transport speed and a length to travel from said reciprocal means in said first direction and said second opposed operation. 13. A dough portion feeding device according to claim 12, wherein: said second drive control means are operative to determine the trajectory of said reciprocal plug beyond the predetermined path distances in said first direction and said second opposite direction and to determine if the trajectory is interrupted when said obturator has traveled more than the predetermined path distances.