Sheeter with pivotable feed system
A masa processing system can include a sheeter and a pivotable support assembly. The sheeter can be configured to receive a feed of masa. The pivotable support assembly can include a post having a lower fixed end and an upper end and a pivotable assembly coupled with the upper end of the post. The pivotable assembly can include a pivot member rotatably coupled with the post and being pivotable about a vertical axis and a transverse support having a first end coupled with the pivot member and a second end opposite the first end. The pivotable support assembly can be configured to rotate about the vertical axis between a first position in which the second end of the transverse support is disposed over the sheeter and a second position in which the second end of the transverse support is disposed away from the sheeter.
1 . A masa processing system, comprising:
a nozzle configured to output a feed of masa into a sheeter;
a piping system comprising a conduit configured to be coupled to a source of the feed of masa and to convey the feed of masa to the nozzle; and
a support assembly comprising:
a post having a lower fixed end and an upper end; and
a transverse support having a first end pivotably coupled with the post and a second end opposite the first end, the second end being configured to be disposed above and transversely offset from the first end, the transverse support being coupled with the conduit of the piping system over the nozzle,
wherein the support assembly has a first configuration in which the nozzle is disposed at a first angular position relative to a vertical axis and positioned over the sheeter and a second configuration in which the transverse support is rotated about the vertical axis relative to the first angular position to position the nozzle in a second angular position offset from the first angular position and disposed away from the sheeter.
2 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the sheeter comprises one or more sheeter rollers configured to form the feed of masa into a sheet for generating pre-cooked masa units.
3 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the piping system comprises a first span of conduit having an opening centered on the vertical axis such that as the support assembly moves from the first angular position to the second angular position, the first span of conduit rotates about the center of the opening.
4 . The masa processing system of claim 3 , wherein a rotation interface is provided at the opening of the first span between the piping system and a fixed conduit of a source of masa providing the feed of masa.
5 . The masa processing system of claim 4 , wherein the rotation interface comprises a food grade seal configured to prevent leakage between the first span of conduit and the fixed conduit of the source of masa providing the feed of masa.
6 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support further comprises a seat coupled with the piping system and configured to support the piping system.
7 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse support comprises a tool engagement feature configured for connecting a tool for applying a torque to the support assembly to move the support assembly between the first angular position and the second angular position.
8 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the support assembly further comprises a pivotable assembly coupled with the upper end of the post, the pivotable assembly comprising a pivot member rotatably coupled with the post and being pivotable about the vertical axis.
9 . The masa processing system of claim 8 , wherein the transverse support further comprises a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm coupled with the pivot member at one end, the first arm and the second arm coupled with each other at one or more positions away from the one end.
10 . The masa processing system of claim 8 , wherein the pivotable assembly further comprises one or more rollers configured to roll over a surface of the post to guide movement between the first angular position and the second angular position.
11 . The masa processing system of claim 1 , wherein the support assembly further comprises a motor coupled with a drum to rotate the drum to spool and unspool a cable routed over a pulley at the second end of the transverse support, the cable configured to support a weight of one or more sheeter rollers of the sheeter when lifted from within the sheeter.
12 . The masa processing system of claim 11 , wherein the transverse support comprises a first arm and a second arm, the pulley being supported on an axle supported on one end by the first arm and on another end by the second arm.
13 . The masa processing system of claim 12 , further comprising a first bracket coupled with the first arm and a second bracket coupled with the second arm, the first bracket and the second bracket each comprising two positions for mounting the pulley.