CA1299434C - Continuous process for making lasagna and apparatus therefor - Google Patents
Continuous process for making lasagna and apparatus thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1299434C CA1299434C CA000531615A CA531615A CA1299434C CA 1299434 C CA1299434 C CA 1299434C CA 000531615 A CA000531615 A CA 000531615A CA 531615 A CA531615 A CA 531615A CA 1299434 C CA1299434 C CA 1299434C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pasta
- station
- sheets
- sheet
- uncooked
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
- A23L7/10—Cereal-derived products
- A23L7/109—Types of pasta, e.g. macaroni or noodles
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nutrition Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Noodles (AREA)
- Manufacturing And Processing Devices For Dough (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
(a) a first station for supporting a sheaf of uncooked pasta sheets and mechanically removing individual sheets from the stack; (b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; (c) third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; (d) a fourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; (e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, (f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
An apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
(a) a first station for supporting a sheaf of uncooked pasta sheets and mechanically removing individual sheets from the stack; (b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; (c) third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; (d) a fourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; (e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, (f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
Description
3~
1 _IELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a continuous process for making lasagna, and to an apparatus for continuously conveying a plurality of sheets of lasagna pasta from one processing station to the next for the continuous preparation of lasagna.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Lasagna is conventionally made in two substantially distinct stages. Uncooked lasagna pasta comprising substantially broad pasta sheets are cooked in boiling water and are then passed by hand to a cool water bath for rinsing and cooling. Individual sheets of lasagna pasta are then passed by hand from the rinsing bath to a table to be drained and dried. A plurality of sheets of lasagna pasta are then placed in layers in a dish together with sauce and condiments. While such a process is suitable for preparing one dish of lasagna for home consumption, it is inefficient when applied to preparing many dishes of lasagna; for example, for consumption in a restaurant or for preparation of lasagna -to be packaged and sold in food stores.
It has been known to pre-cook pasta, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles and the like, by passing the pasta by hand Erom one station to the next, for example for cookingl rinsing, cooling and dryiny the pasta. For example, United States Letters Patent 3,318,707 to R. Ernst disclose a method of pre-cooking pasta whereby it is cooked, rinsed, cooled and dried at a plurality of s-tations, one for each step of the process. Ernst uses endless conveyor means for advancing the pasta within the confines of a particular station, however it is necessary to pass the pasta by hand from one processi.ng station to the next in a batch processing 3~
1 fashion. It will be appreciated tha-t a considerable amount of manual manipulation of the pasta is thereby required.
In United States Letters Patent 3,615,678 to Tangel it is taught to produce pizza by a "continuous process".
Two layers of dough are formed so as to provide a pocket in which a quantity of sauce is placed. The formed pizza dough comprising the pocket containing sauce is delivered by an endless conveyor to a proofing chamber. As appears from the specification in Tangel, after proofing the pizza is passed to an oven. In as much as the conveyor in Tangel comprises an endless loop, there is no provision for a continuous conveyor from the proofing chamber to the baking oven -- a batching process is therefore required, as ls the case in Ernst.
lS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a continuous process and apparatus therefor, for the preparation of lasagna, whereby the batch processing of sheets of lasagna pasta is reduced to a minimum, and the need for manual manipulation of the sheets of lasagna pasta is thereby substantially eliminated.
Further and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the Eollowing summary oE the invention and detailed description thereof.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
-According to one aspect oE the invention there is provided an apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
a) a first station for supporting a sheaf of uncooked pasta sheets and mechanically removing individual sheets from the stack; b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; c) a 1 third station comprising at least one cold wa-ter tanlc suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a fourth station for recelving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), ~c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
According to another aspect oE the invention there is provided an apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
a) a first station for supporting a continuoussheet of uncooked pasta and mechanically feeding the continuous sheet of uncooked pasta through a cutter, mechanically removing individual sheets from the continuous sheet; b) a second station compris:ing at least one hot water tank suitable for cooklng pas-ta sheets; c) a third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a :Eourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a Eifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets o.E pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conv0yor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it 1 is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
According to another aspect oE the invention there is provided a method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically delivering indivldual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a plurality of uncooked pasta sheets to a continuous conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the continuous conveyor means through at least two processing stations cornprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering with the continuous conveyor means each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of cooked pasta to a drying station; d) mechanically deliveri.ng with the continuous conveyor means each sheet of the plurality of sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plural.ity of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to -the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a continuous sheet of uncooked pasta to a continuous conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the continuous conveyor means through at least two processing stations comprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering 3~
1 with the con-tinuous conveyor means each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of cooked pasta to a drying station; d) mechanically delivering with the ~ontinuous conveyor means each sheet of the plurality oE sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plurality of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following drawings and description of an embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure_l is a perspective view in schematic form of an apparatus for preparing lasagna.
Fiqure 2 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l comprising a first station for mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a stack of sheets.
Figure _3 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l and Figure 2, for shaping a piece of lasagna pasta.
Figure ~ is a slde view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l comprising conveyor means for successively moving sheets of lasagna pasta through cooking and rinsing tanks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring generally to Figure l there is shown an apparatus 6 for preparing lasagna. A first station 8 handles 1 a sheaf 10 of individual uncooked pas-ta shee-ts 12. A mechanism 14 for mechanically lifting and moving in a generally horizontal direction the individual sheets 12 is provided.
Referring to Figure 2 the mechanism 14 employs pneumatic pick up heads 16 which may be activated to provide a subatmospheric pressure when lowered into contact 16a with the uppermost sheet of pasta 12. Drive means rotate a drum (not shown), as in a pulley system, for taking in or playing out a vertical control cable 18, thereby lifting or lowering the pneumatic pick-up, respectively. Preferably a limit switch (not shown) comes into contact with the pasta 12 when the heads 16 are lowered into contact 16a with the pasta -- thereby limiting the extent to which the heads l6 are lowered and sending a signal to activate the subatmospheric pressure applied at the heads 16. Preferably the limit switch when mechanically moved, activates a solenoid which controls a vaeuum ball valve. For horizontal movement of the vacuum head assembly 20, a horizontal cable system 22 is provided.
A elosed loop eable system or an open loop system suitable Eor take up on a drum is suitable. In a preferred embodiment the cable system 22 comprises a circulating loop 24 supported for eirculation by two fixecl pulleys 26, 28. A fixed drum 30 engages the cable 2~. The drum is rotated in a cloekwise and counter-clockwise direction by clrive means 32, eomprising a reversible elec-tric motor. A fitting (not shown) is fixed to the eabLe and eoupled to the vacuum head assembly 20 for reciprocal movement of the assembly 20 in a horizontal direction. PreEerably, the assembly is slidably mounted on a vertical rack 3~ and on horizontal racks 36, 38.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the vacuum head assembly 3~
1 20a is shown in one position overlying a closed loop lower conveyor belt 40. In this position -the sub-atmospheric pressure applied at the pneumatic pick-up heads 16 is increased to normal atmospheric presssure concurrently with lowering the pickup heads 16, as depcited at vertical arrows 42;
thereby depositing the sheet of lasagna 12a on the lower conveyor belt 40. Referring generally to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the lower conveyor belt 40 circulates in a clockwise direction as depicted by arrow 40a. The upper conveyor belt 44 circulates in a counter-clockwise direction as depicted by arrow 44a. Each sheet of pasta 12a is thereby fed between the upper 44 and lower 40 conveyor belts in a preferred embodiment (as indicated at arrow 46), squeezing the pasta 12a to the desired thickness.
In another embodiment (not shown) the first station 8 may support a continuous roll of uncooked pasta. As the roll of uncooked pasta is unrolled it is fed into a cutter, continuously delivering individual slices oE uncooked pasta to the conveyor belt 40.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 an~ 4 there is shown a cooling and rinsing station 48 having a hot water tank 50 suitable for cooking the pasta 12a and a cold water tank 52 suitable for cooling and rinsing the pasta, successively. Preferably an electric heater 51 is provider in the hot water tank 50. A lower conveyor belt 54 circulates through the hot and cold water tanks 50,52 in a clockwise direction, as depicted by arrow 54a.
An upper conveyor belt 58 circulates in a counter-clockwise direction, as depicted by arrow 58a. A plurality of rollers 56,57 are placed sufficient so as to guide the path of 3~
I the conveyor bel~s 54,58 into and out of the tanks 50,52.
Referring specifically to Figure 3 an upper timing belt drive 60 and a lower timing belt drive 62 are provided to synchronize the linear speed of the upper conveyor belts 44,58 one to the other, and to synchronize the linear speed of the lower conveyor belts 40,54 one to the other.
Drive means 64,66 circulating the upper 60 and lower 62 timing belts are synchronized, and are driven by a common motor 68. By synchronizing the conveyor belts 40,44,54,58, I0 a plurality of sheets of pasta 12a may be continuously fed from the first station 8 to the second station 48.
Referring to Figure 4, each piece of pasta 12a is sandwiched between the upper 58 and lower 54 belts for movement below the level 70 of the water in the tanks 50,52.
Preferably the tension between the upper 58 and lower 54 belts may be adjusted by an adjustable telescopic mount 72 carrying the rollers 56,57. Preferably the belts 54,58 are made from a flexible stainless steel or synthetic mesh suitable for contact with food.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a drying station 74 comprising an upper and lower hood 75,76 for continuously venting cIry air, as at duct 78. Advantageously, the pasta 12a is continuously fecl from the cooking and rinsing station 48 by the conveyor belts 54,58 to -the drying station 74.
An assembly table 80 i9 provided onto which dried cooked pasta 12a is continuously fed via the clockwise rotation 54a of the lower conveyor belt 54. Accordingly, the pasta 12a is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table 80 successively from the first station a, to the cooling and rinsing station 48, to the drying 1 station 74, to the assembly table 80.
As many changes can be made to the embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all material be considered as illus-trative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.
1 _IELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a continuous process for making lasagna, and to an apparatus for continuously conveying a plurality of sheets of lasagna pasta from one processing station to the next for the continuous preparation of lasagna.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Lasagna is conventionally made in two substantially distinct stages. Uncooked lasagna pasta comprising substantially broad pasta sheets are cooked in boiling water and are then passed by hand to a cool water bath for rinsing and cooling. Individual sheets of lasagna pasta are then passed by hand from the rinsing bath to a table to be drained and dried. A plurality of sheets of lasagna pasta are then placed in layers in a dish together with sauce and condiments. While such a process is suitable for preparing one dish of lasagna for home consumption, it is inefficient when applied to preparing many dishes of lasagna; for example, for consumption in a restaurant or for preparation of lasagna -to be packaged and sold in food stores.
It has been known to pre-cook pasta, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles and the like, by passing the pasta by hand Erom one station to the next, for example for cookingl rinsing, cooling and dryiny the pasta. For example, United States Letters Patent 3,318,707 to R. Ernst disclose a method of pre-cooking pasta whereby it is cooked, rinsed, cooled and dried at a plurality of s-tations, one for each step of the process. Ernst uses endless conveyor means for advancing the pasta within the confines of a particular station, however it is necessary to pass the pasta by hand from one processi.ng station to the next in a batch processing 3~
1 fashion. It will be appreciated tha-t a considerable amount of manual manipulation of the pasta is thereby required.
In United States Letters Patent 3,615,678 to Tangel it is taught to produce pizza by a "continuous process".
Two layers of dough are formed so as to provide a pocket in which a quantity of sauce is placed. The formed pizza dough comprising the pocket containing sauce is delivered by an endless conveyor to a proofing chamber. As appears from the specification in Tangel, after proofing the pizza is passed to an oven. In as much as the conveyor in Tangel comprises an endless loop, there is no provision for a continuous conveyor from the proofing chamber to the baking oven -- a batching process is therefore required, as ls the case in Ernst.
lS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a continuous process and apparatus therefor, for the preparation of lasagna, whereby the batch processing of sheets of lasagna pasta is reduced to a minimum, and the need for manual manipulation of the sheets of lasagna pasta is thereby substantially eliminated.
Further and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the Eollowing summary oE the invention and detailed description thereof.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
-According to one aspect oE the invention there is provided an apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
a) a first station for supporting a sheaf of uncooked pasta sheets and mechanically removing individual sheets from the stack; b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; c) a 1 third station comprising at least one cold wa-ter tanlc suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a fourth station for recelving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), ~c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
According to another aspect oE the invention there is provided an apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
a) a first station for supporting a continuoussheet of uncooked pasta and mechanically feeding the continuous sheet of uncooked pasta through a cutter, mechanically removing individual sheets from the continuous sheet; b) a second station compris:ing at least one hot water tank suitable for cooklng pas-ta sheets; c) a third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a :Eourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a Eifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets o.E pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conv0yor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it 1 is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
According to another aspect oE the invention there is provided a method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically delivering indivldual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a plurality of uncooked pasta sheets to a continuous conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the continuous conveyor means through at least two processing stations cornprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering with the continuous conveyor means each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of cooked pasta to a drying station; d) mechanically deliveri.ng with the continuous conveyor means each sheet of the plurality of sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plural.ity of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to -the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a continuous sheet of uncooked pasta to a continuous conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the continuous conveyor means through at least two processing stations comprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering 3~
1 with the con-tinuous conveyor means each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of cooked pasta to a drying station; d) mechanically delivering with the ~ontinuous conveyor means each sheet of the plurality oE sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plurality of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following drawings and description of an embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure_l is a perspective view in schematic form of an apparatus for preparing lasagna.
Fiqure 2 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l comprising a first station for mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a stack of sheets.
Figure _3 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l and Figure 2, for shaping a piece of lasagna pasta.
Figure ~ is a slde view of a portion of the apparatus in Figure l comprising conveyor means for successively moving sheets of lasagna pasta through cooking and rinsing tanks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring generally to Figure l there is shown an apparatus 6 for preparing lasagna. A first station 8 handles 1 a sheaf 10 of individual uncooked pas-ta shee-ts 12. A mechanism 14 for mechanically lifting and moving in a generally horizontal direction the individual sheets 12 is provided.
Referring to Figure 2 the mechanism 14 employs pneumatic pick up heads 16 which may be activated to provide a subatmospheric pressure when lowered into contact 16a with the uppermost sheet of pasta 12. Drive means rotate a drum (not shown), as in a pulley system, for taking in or playing out a vertical control cable 18, thereby lifting or lowering the pneumatic pick-up, respectively. Preferably a limit switch (not shown) comes into contact with the pasta 12 when the heads 16 are lowered into contact 16a with the pasta -- thereby limiting the extent to which the heads l6 are lowered and sending a signal to activate the subatmospheric pressure applied at the heads 16. Preferably the limit switch when mechanically moved, activates a solenoid which controls a vaeuum ball valve. For horizontal movement of the vacuum head assembly 20, a horizontal cable system 22 is provided.
A elosed loop eable system or an open loop system suitable Eor take up on a drum is suitable. In a preferred embodiment the cable system 22 comprises a circulating loop 24 supported for eirculation by two fixecl pulleys 26, 28. A fixed drum 30 engages the cable 2~. The drum is rotated in a cloekwise and counter-clockwise direction by clrive means 32, eomprising a reversible elec-tric motor. A fitting (not shown) is fixed to the eabLe and eoupled to the vacuum head assembly 20 for reciprocal movement of the assembly 20 in a horizontal direction. PreEerably, the assembly is slidably mounted on a vertical rack 3~ and on horizontal racks 36, 38.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the vacuum head assembly 3~
1 20a is shown in one position overlying a closed loop lower conveyor belt 40. In this position -the sub-atmospheric pressure applied at the pneumatic pick-up heads 16 is increased to normal atmospheric presssure concurrently with lowering the pickup heads 16, as depcited at vertical arrows 42;
thereby depositing the sheet of lasagna 12a on the lower conveyor belt 40. Referring generally to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the lower conveyor belt 40 circulates in a clockwise direction as depicted by arrow 40a. The upper conveyor belt 44 circulates in a counter-clockwise direction as depicted by arrow 44a. Each sheet of pasta 12a is thereby fed between the upper 44 and lower 40 conveyor belts in a preferred embodiment (as indicated at arrow 46), squeezing the pasta 12a to the desired thickness.
In another embodiment (not shown) the first station 8 may support a continuous roll of uncooked pasta. As the roll of uncooked pasta is unrolled it is fed into a cutter, continuously delivering individual slices oE uncooked pasta to the conveyor belt 40.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 an~ 4 there is shown a cooling and rinsing station 48 having a hot water tank 50 suitable for cooking the pasta 12a and a cold water tank 52 suitable for cooling and rinsing the pasta, successively. Preferably an electric heater 51 is provider in the hot water tank 50. A lower conveyor belt 54 circulates through the hot and cold water tanks 50,52 in a clockwise direction, as depicted by arrow 54a.
An upper conveyor belt 58 circulates in a counter-clockwise direction, as depicted by arrow 58a. A plurality of rollers 56,57 are placed sufficient so as to guide the path of 3~
I the conveyor bel~s 54,58 into and out of the tanks 50,52.
Referring specifically to Figure 3 an upper timing belt drive 60 and a lower timing belt drive 62 are provided to synchronize the linear speed of the upper conveyor belts 44,58 one to the other, and to synchronize the linear speed of the lower conveyor belts 40,54 one to the other.
Drive means 64,66 circulating the upper 60 and lower 62 timing belts are synchronized, and are driven by a common motor 68. By synchronizing the conveyor belts 40,44,54,58, I0 a plurality of sheets of pasta 12a may be continuously fed from the first station 8 to the second station 48.
Referring to Figure 4, each piece of pasta 12a is sandwiched between the upper 58 and lower 54 belts for movement below the level 70 of the water in the tanks 50,52.
Preferably the tension between the upper 58 and lower 54 belts may be adjusted by an adjustable telescopic mount 72 carrying the rollers 56,57. Preferably the belts 54,58 are made from a flexible stainless steel or synthetic mesh suitable for contact with food.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a drying station 74 comprising an upper and lower hood 75,76 for continuously venting cIry air, as at duct 78. Advantageously, the pasta 12a is continuously fecl from the cooking and rinsing station 48 by the conveyor belts 54,58 to -the drying station 74.
An assembly table 80 i9 provided onto which dried cooked pasta 12a is continuously fed via the clockwise rotation 54a of the lower conveyor belt 54. Accordingly, the pasta 12a is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table 80 successively from the first station a, to the cooling and rinsing station 48, to the drying 1 station 74, to the assembly table 80.
As many changes can be made to the embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all material be considered as illus-trative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (6)
1. An apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising: a) a first station for supporting a sheaf of uncooked pasta sheets and mechanically removing individual sheets from the stack; b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; c) a third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a fourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
2. An apparatus for preparing lasagna comprising:
a) a first station for supporting a continuous sheet of uncooked pasta and mechanically feeding the continuous sheet of uncooked pasta through a cutter, mechanically removing individual sheets from the continuous sheet; b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; c) a third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a fourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after is is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
a) a first station for supporting a continuous sheet of uncooked pasta and mechanically feeding the continuous sheet of uncooked pasta through a cutter, mechanically removing individual sheets from the continuous sheet; b) a second station comprising at least one hot water tank suitable for cooking pasta sheets; c) a third station comprising at least one cold water tank suitable for cooling and rinsing pasta sheets; d) a fourth station for receiving and drying sheets of pasta after they have been cooked, cooled and rinsed; e) a fifth station comprising an assembly table for continuously receiving sheets of pasta from the fourth station; and, f) conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station (a) through to the fifth station (e) inclusive of each of the stations (b), (c), and (d) therebetween, whereby the pasta is only handled by a person after is is conveyed to the assembly table by the conveyor means (f).
3. A method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of: a) mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a plurality of uncooked pasta sheets to a circulating conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the circulating conveyor means through at least two processing stations comprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering with the circulating conveyor means each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of cooked pasta to a drying station; d) mechanically delivering with the circulating conveyor means each sheet of the plurality of sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plurality of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
4. A method for making lasagna, comprising the steps of : a) mechanically delivering individual sheets of uncooked lasagna pasta from a continuuos sheet of uncooked pasta to a continuous conveyor means; b) mechanically moving each individual sheet of the plurality of sheets of uncooked pasta with the continuous conveyor means through at least two processing stations comprising tanks of water for cooking, rinsing and cooling each sheet; c) mechanically delivering with the continuous conveyor means each sheet of the plurality of sheets of pasta from the drying station to an assembly table; whereby, the pasta is successively moved from the plurality of uncooked pasta sheets (a), to the tanks of water (b), to the drying station (c), to the assembly table (d) continuously, and is only handled by a person after it is conveyed to the assembly table (d).
5. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station to the last station comprises at least one pair of successively spaced conveyor belts, each conveyor belt circulating in a closed loop in the same direction as the other conveyor belt, one end of each conveyor belt spaced adjacent to one end of the other conveyor belt, whereby a pasta sheet may be successively conveyed from a first conveyor belt to at least a second conveyor belt.
6. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the conveyor means for continuously conveying a plurality of pasta sheets, successively from the first station to the last station comprises at least one pair of successively spaced conveyor belts, each conveyor belt circulating in a closed loop in the same direction as the other conveyor belt, one end of each conveyor belt spaced adjacent to one end of the other conveyor belt, whereby a pasta sheet may be successively conveyed from a first conveyor belt to at least a second conveyor belt.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000531615A CA1299434C (en) | 1987-03-10 | 1987-03-10 | Continuous process for making lasagna and apparatus therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000531615A CA1299434C (en) | 1987-03-10 | 1987-03-10 | Continuous process for making lasagna and apparatus therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1299434C true CA1299434C (en) | 1992-04-28 |
Family
ID=4135133
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000531615A Expired - Lifetime CA1299434C (en) | 1987-03-10 | 1987-03-10 | Continuous process for making lasagna and apparatus therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1299434C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2092835A1 (en) | 2008-02-22 | 2009-08-26 | Bertagni 1882 S.P.A. | Method and apparatus for preparing lasagne |
| CN103330134A (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2013-10-02 | 郑州思念食品有限公司 | Manufacturing method of marble-like lasagna |
-
1987
- 1987-03-10 CA CA000531615A patent/CA1299434C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2092835A1 (en) | 2008-02-22 | 2009-08-26 | Bertagni 1882 S.P.A. | Method and apparatus for preparing lasagne |
| CN103330134A (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2013-10-02 | 郑州思念食品有限公司 | Manufacturing method of marble-like lasagna |
| CN103330134B (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2015-07-08 | 郑州思念食品有限公司 | Manufacturing method of marble-like lasagna |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |