An improved platform for use with a conveyor system used in the automated
formation of folded food products such as burritos, taquitos and the
like. The platform includes a substantially planar base and an
articulated flap having pivotally connected upper and lower members. The
articulated flap rotates with respect to the base to fold the shell of
the food product once. The upper member of the articulated flap rotates
with respect to the lower member to create a pinch-like subsequent fold
in the previously folded shell, which secures the filling within the
initial enclosure. The platform may also include additional, rigid flaps
for making additional folds after the upper member makes the pinch-like
fold. Once the final fold is made, the partially-folded food product may
be securely transferred to the mechanism for finalizing the folding and
production thereof.