TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to vertical conveyors for food products such as dough and, more specifically, to a vertical dough conveyor adapted for cleaning and maintenance.

BACKGROUND

Vertical dough conveyors are commonly used in food production for carrying dough upward for loading into a large mixer or other food handling device used in the production of bakery products. The vertical conveyor includes two belts spaced from each other to define a gap between the belts, where the gap runs upward. Dough is held between the belts as the dough is carried upward along the gap by driving the belts. Cleanability of such vertical conveyors is a critical consideration.

It would be desirable to provide an improved vertical dough conveyor adapted for cleaning and maintenance.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a vertical dough conveyor includes a base frame, and a vertical conveyor assembly pivotably connected to the base frame for pivoting movement between a use position and an access position. The vertical conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor belt unit and a second conveyor belt unit, wherein the second conveyor belt unit is pivotably connected to the first conveyor unit such that, when the vertical conveyor assembly is in the access position, the first conveyor belt unit is pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a belt of the second conveyor belt unit is positioned in opposed relation to a belt of the first conveyor belt unit to define a dough feed gap therebetween. In the second position, the belt of second conveyor belt unit is pivoted away from the belt of the first conveyor belt unit.

In another aspect, a substantially vertical dough conveyor includes a substantially vertical gap conveyor assembly having a conveying gap with a lower infeed end and an upper outfeed end, and a feed conveyor for feeding dough to the lower infeed end. The substantially vertical gap conveyor assembly is mounted for movement between a use position relative to the feed conveyor and an access position relative to the feed conveyor. The substantially vertical gap conveyor assembly includes a first portion at one side of the conveying gap and a second portion at an opposite side of the conveying gap, wherein the second portion is mounted for movement between a use position relative to the first portion and a cleaning/maintenance position relative to the first portion. In the use position of the second portion, the second portion, together with the first portion, defines the conveying gap. In the cleaning/maintenance position of the second portion, the second portion is moved to a position that opens at least one side of the conveying gap.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

