Chip separating from a fried ribbon

Abstract

Method and apparatus for preparing a chip-type snack is disclosed. A dough is prepared and sheeted. An elongated shaped ribbon of connected dough pieces is cut from the dough sheet. The ribbon is passed through a deep fat fryer and then severed into individual chips.

We claim: .[.1. A method for preparing fabricated potato chips comprising mixing at least one member of the group consisting of potato flakes and potato granules with water to form a dough, said water being present in an amount of from 25 to 45 percent based on the total weight of the dough, sheeting said dough, cutting said sheeted dough to produce a continuing ribbon, transporting said ribbon through a hot oil bath thereby frying said ribbon, said ribbon extending from the entrance to the exit of said bath, and then separating said ribbon into individual potato chips..]. 
     
        .[. .  A method of preparing chip-type snacks comprising: mixing a farinaceous material and water to form a farinaceous dough, said water being present in an amount sufficient to provide a dough having sufficient cohesiveness to stick together as a sheet and less than that amount of water that would result in the dough sticking to equipment, the moisture content of said dough being about 25 to 45 percent by weight; forming the dough into a ribbon having alternating wide portions and narrow portions; frying the ribbon of dough in an oil bath, said oil bath having an entrance and an exit, said ribbon extending continuously from said entrance to said exit, thereby frying said ribbon; removing the ribbon from said oil bath and then separating the ribbon at the narrow portions to provide individual chips..]. .[.3. The method of claim 1 wherein said ribbon is molded between a pair of surfaces during frying..]. .[.4. The method of claim 2 wherein said farinaceous material is dehydrated potato material..]. .[.5. The method of claim 2 wherein the forming of said ribbon includes sheeting said dough to form a sheet having a thickness of 
     
     
        about 0.015 to 0.06 inches..]. .[.6.  The method of claim 5 wherein said chip-type snack is fabricated potato chips and wherein said thickness is about 0.02 to 0.03 inches..]. .[.7. The method of claim 5 wherein the wide and narrow portions of said ribbon are formed by cutting said ribbon from said sheet..]. .[.8. The method of claim 7 wherein said wide portions have a diameter of between about 1 and 2 inches and are connected by a narrow 
     
     
        portion having a width of 1/8 to 3/8 inches..]. .[.9.  A method of preparing chip-type snacks comprising: mixing a farinaceous material and water to produce a dough, said farinaceous material being a member selected from the group consisting of potato material, wheat flour, rice flour, and corn grits, said water being present in an amount of between 25 and 45 percent, basis total weight of dough;   sheeting the dough to a thickness of about 0.015 to 0.06 inches;   cutting the dough sheet into a ribbon including alternating wide portions of 1 to 2 inches and narrow portions of 1/8 to 3/8 inches;   frying the ribbon by passing said ribbon through a bath of hot oil, said ribbon extending continuously from the entrance to the exit of said bath;   removing the fried ribbon from said bath; and   separating said ribbon at said narrow portions, said wide portions thereby producing individual fabricated chips..]. .[.10. The method of claim 9   
     
     
        wherein said farinaceous material is potato material..]. .Iadd.11.  A method of preparing chip-type snacks comprising: (1) mixing a farinaceous material and water to form a farinaceous dough, said water being present in an amount sufficient to provide a dough having sufficient cohesiveness to stick together as a sheet, the moisture content of said dough being about 25 to 45 percent by weight;   (2) forming the dough into a ribbon having alternating wide portions and narrow portions;   (3) frying the ribbon of dough in an oil bath, said oil bath having an entrance and an exit, said ribbon being conveyed through said oil bath from said entrance to said exit and said ribbon extending continuously from said entrance to said exit, thereby frying said ribbon;   (4) molding said ribbon between a pair of surfaces during the drying of step (3), such that said ribbon assumes the shape of a U, the U shape being the cross section facing in the direction of advance of the ribbon, whereby chips resulting from separating the ribbon at the narrow portions will be round or oval or similarly shaped and will have a U-shaped cross section;   (5) removing the shaped fried ribbon from said oil bath and substantially changing the direction of the path of travel of said shaped fried ribbon to bend said shaped fried ribbon; and then   (6) separating the ribbon at the narrow portions to provide individual chips which are round or oval or similarly shaped and are of U-shaped cross section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A method of preparing chip-type snacks comprising:   (1) mixing a farinaceous material and water to form a farinaceous dough, said water being present in an amount sufficient to provide a dough having sufficient cohesiveness to stick together as a sheet, the moisture content of said dough being about 25 to 45 percent by weight;   (2) forming the dough into a ribbon having alternating wide portions and narrow portions;   (3) frying the ribbon of dough in an oil bath, said oil bath having an entrance and an exit, said ribbon being conveyed through said oil bath from said entrance to said exit, thereby frying said ribbon;   (4) molding said ribbon between a pair of surfaces during the frying of step (3), such that said ribbon assumes the shape of a U, the U shape being the cross section facing in the direction of advance of the ribbon, whereby chips resulting from separating the ribbon at the narrow portions will be round or oval or similarly shaped and will have a U-shaped cross section;   (5) removing the shaped fried ribbon from said oil bath, and substantially changing the direction of the path of travel of said shaped fried ribbon to bend said shaped fried ribbon; and then   (6) separating the ribbon at the narrow portions to provide individual chips which are round or oval or similarly shaped and are of U-shaped cross section. .Iaddend.