EP1553836A1

EP1553836A1 - Apparatus for supporting portions of dough and an assembly for dough treatment comprising such an apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1553836A1
Application number: EP03759082A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lothar Pasch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2003-10-24
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Also published as: WO2004036999A1; AU2003274828A1

Abstract

Device for supporting portions of dough, comprising a number of support members for supporting dough portions, a first support member comprising a first support surface for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a first position, and a second support member comprising a second support surface for a dough portion for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a second position having another spatial orientation than the first position, the first support member comprising a first form member provided with at least one cavity that is adapted to a shape of a dough portion. Preferably the support surfaces of the first support member and the second support member, respectively, face away from each other. The invention further relates to an assembly for dough treatment comprising a device for dough treatment and a device for supporting dough portions.

Description

Apparatus for supporting portions of dough and an assembly for dough treatment comprising such an apparatus

The invention relates to an apparatus or device for supporting dough portions. Particularly for supporting dough portions in the production of dough products.

The invention further relates to an assembly for dough treatment.

US patent specification 5,232,609 describes a self-supporting element for use during the proving and baking of dough. This self-supporting element comprises a tray having raised side edges and a form member in the shape of one or more interchangeable membranes or moulds provided with a non-stick layer, each shaped to the dimensions and shapes of a loaf of bread or other dough products. The interchangeable membranes or moulds rest on the tray without being attached to it, or they are at least detachably attached to it.

The interchangeable membranes or moulds render it possible to replace a membrane or mould for a loaf of bread having a first shape by a membrane or mould for a loaf of bread having a second shape, without the tray with raised edge having to be replaced. Moreover worn membranes or moulds can be replaced by new ones in the same manner.

A drawback of the known device for supporting dough products is that for switching from the one membrane or mould to another, the interchangeable membranes or moulds have to be changed. A new form member has to be supplied, the first form member has to be taken out of the support frame, subsequently the new form member has to be placed in the support frame, and finally the first form member has to be taken away and stored.

A further drawback of the known device for supporting dough products is that the membranes or moulds that are not used in the device, have to be stored.

An object of the invention is to improve on at least one of the said aspects.

According to a first aspect, the invention to that end provides a device for supporting portions of dough, comprising a number of support members for supporting dough portions, a first support member comprising a first support surface for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a first position, and a second support member comprising a second support surface for a dough portion for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a second position having another spatial orientation than the first position, the first support member comprising a first form member provided with at least one cavity that is adapted to a shape of a dough portion.

Because the support members are placed in different orientations with their support surfaces, the support members are accessible from different directions and the support members can be placed at various sides of the device for supporting dough portions.

In one embodiment the support surfaces of the first support member and the second support member, respectively, face away from each other. For instance the device according to this embodiment of the invention comprises two support members that are placed with their backs to each other. The first support member thus is accessible for supporting dough portions from a first side of the device and the second support member is accessible for supporting dough portions from a side opposite the first side. Said em- bodiment can therefore be used at two sides if so desired. All one needs to do in order to switch from the first support member to the second support member, or vice versa, is turning this device around. This simple action can also be carried out by less skilled personnel. Moreover this action can easily be carried out mechanically and/or automatically, and thus it is possible that the switch can be carried out easily and fast.

An important advantage of the device according to the invention is that for switching from a first support member to a second support member, or vice versa, the device according to the invention does not need to be taken out of the production line and/or changed.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that the second support member in the device according to the invention, is present in the device ready to use, and therefore does not need to be supplied, taken away or stored.

It is noted that French patent application 2 659 834 describes a device for supporting bakery products and dough products that can be used on two sides. This device consists of a rigid core (first form member) covered with a non-stick layer, and is provided with a series of parallel channels. The device has the shape of a tray the cross-section of which has the shape of a sinusoid. As a result the cavities corresponding to a shape of a dough portion at the upper side and the lower side of the device have an identical shape.

A drawback of the device according to the above-mentioned French patent application is that the distance between two cavities has to be so large that the protrusion between these two cavities at the one side is large enough to serve as cavity at the other side when the device is turned. As a result the number of parallel cavities at one side of the device is limited. By, as is the case in the device according to the invention, using a separate form member at each side of the device, the number of cavities at one side is independent of the cavities at the opposite side, and it is possible in case of parallel cavities, to place them closer together as a result of which per side more cavities and therefore more dough products can be supported by the device.

The first support member comprises a first form member provided with at least one cavity adapted to a shape of a dough portion. Due to the plastic properties of a dough portion that is placed in a cavity, it will in general not fill up the cavity because the dough portion in the form member will be subjected to a proving process and/or baking process. The bottom of the cavity will support the dough portion during said proving and/or baking process. During the proving and/or baking process the dough portion will at least partially follow the shape of the cavity so that a dough product of the desired shape is obtained.

In one embodiment the first form member comprises a number of adjacent similarly shaped channels. This embodiment is highly suitable for processing buns or baguettes.

In one embodiment the first and second support member have a different shape. For instance the second support member may comprise a flat baking tray. As a result the second support member can be deployed very flexibly and can be used for supporting various different dough products, such as for instance bread that is not baked in a tin, croissants or pizzas.

In a further embodiment the second support member comprises a second form member provided with at least one cavity adapted to a shape of a dough product.

Preferably the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member are placed in different directions. Because the form members have been placed with their openings in different directions, the form members are accessible from different directions and the form members can be placed at various sides of the device for supporting dough portions.

Preferably the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member face away from each other.

In a further embodiment the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member are at least virtually perpendicularly placed. Preferably the device comprises at least four support members that have each been provided with a form member provided with at least one cavity adapted to a shape of a dough portion, the respective openings of the cavities of the form members of two adjacent support members being virtually perpendicularly placed. In one embodiment four form members are placed around the device for supporting dough portions. In this embodiment four form members are available for, for instance, four different products. Switching from a first form member to a second form member can simply be done by rotating the device over 90 degrees or a number of times over 90 degrees. Here as well the device according to the invention does not need to be taken out of the production line and/or changed.

In a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention the cavity of the first form member has the same shape as the cavity of the second form member. The second form member can then be used as spare part for the first form member. In case of wear or damage of the first form member the device only has to be turned around and work can subsequently be proceeded with immediately.

Alternatively and preferably the cavity of the first form member has a different shape than the cavity of the second form member. Preferably a dimension of the cavity of the first form member is different from an adapted dimension of the cavity of the second form member. For instance the cavity of the first form member is suitable for dough products having a first shape or dimension and the cavity of the second form member is suitable for dough products having a second shape or dimension which differs from the first shape or dimension. For switching from processing dough products having the first shape or dimension to dough products having the second shape or dimension, or vice versa, one only has to turn the device according to this embodiment around.

In an embodiment both the first and the second form member comprise a number of adjacent similarly shaped elongated channels. Preferably the elongated channels of the second form member have a different profile than the elongated channels of the first form member. The elongated channels of the second form member for instance have another width, height or shape than the elongated channels of the first form member. In this embodiment of the device according to the invention buns or baguettes of various shapes can be processed. For instance French bread of a first width (for instance baguettes) on the first form member, and French bread of a second width, that is different from the first width (for instance flutes), on the second form member. Now as well switching from processing baguettes of the first width to baguettes of the second width, or vice versa, can be effected by merely turning the device according to the invention around.

In an embodiment the first form member comprises a bread pan. Preferably the second form member as well comprises a bread pan.

Preferably a dough supporting part of the first support member is at least partially formed from perforated material. In addition, preferably a dough supporting part of the second support member is at least partially formed from perforated material. This renders the device according to this embodiment highly suitable for use in all types of ovens. Moreover the use of perforated material ensures a weight reduction of the device according to the invention, as a result of which it is easier to manage and requires less bearing power from an assembly for dough processing that has been provided with the device according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the first and second support member and/or form member are manufactured from one or more the materials comprising metals, such as for instance steel, stainless steel or aluminium or synthetic materials.

Preferably the device has entirely been made of stainless steel, because this material ensures an optimal ease of use under all conditions.

Preferably said materials, at least at the location of a dough supporting part or support surface, have been provided with a non-stick layer, such as for instance an RO-silicon coating or Teflon coating.

In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the device according to the invention comprises a marking forming a code for defining in an assembly for dough treatment, which of the support members of the device is being used as support of the dough portions. This embodiment makes an automatic check of the wanted orientation of the device for supporting dough portions possible.

In an embodiment the device according to the invention comprises a support frame for supporting the first and second support member. Preferably at least one of the two support members is attached to the support frame. The support frame gives the device according to the invention a certain firmness and/or rigidity, and makes managing the device according to the invention easier. Furthermore the support frame can be used for supporting the device so that the device does not need to support on one of the support members or form members in the course of which a non-stick layer might get damaged. In addition a possible marking can be arranged on this support device.

Preferably the first support member and the second support member are detachably attached to the support frame. Preferably the support frame virtually entirely surrounds the first form member.

The devices for supporting dough portions according to the invention comprise devices for use in for instance a baking oven and/or a proving cabinet. The use in a baking oven will make different demands on the devices for supporting dough portions than the use in a proving cabinet, and the design and/or structure of the device for supporting dough portions according to the invention may be optimised for one use or for several uses. For instance the devices for supporting dough portions according to the invention also comprise devices that are not suitable for use in a baking oven, but which are indeed suitable for use in for instance a proving cabinet. For instance devices according to the invention that comprise synthetic parts will in general be less suitable for use in a baking oven, but may very well be suitable for use in a proving cabinet.

In an embodiment a support member and an associate form member are formed as one unity.

A second aspect of the invention provides an assembly for dough treatment according to the preamble, comprising a device for dough treatment and a device for supporting dough portions as described above. The device for dough treatment may furthermore comprise one or more of the following devices: a proving cabinet, a baking oven, a device for parting dough as for instance known from NL 1007981 , a device for making a dough strand such as for instance known from NL 9202190, a device for forming a dough strand as for instance known from NL 9202023, a device for transporting the device for supporting dough portions in a direction of transport. In an embodiment of the assembly for dough treatment according to the invention, the device for dough treatment comprises a sensor for detecting at least one marking on the device for supporting the dough portions in order to be able to determine which of the two form members of the device for supporting dough portions is being used as support of dough portions. This embodiment makes an automatic check of the correct orientation of the device for supporting dough portions possible.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a device for supporting dough portions;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3, shows a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4, shows a cross-sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention without support frame;

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a device of figure 3, provided with a marking;

Figure 6, shows a schematic diagram of an assembly for dough treatment; and

Figures 7, 8 and 9, show a view in perspective of further embodiments of the device according to the invention. As a first exemplary embodiment a device for supporting dough portions is described below in which a support member having form members comprises a number of adjacent similarly shaped elongated channels. Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of the device for supporting dough portions 1 . The exemplary embodiment of the device for supporting dough portions 1 has been provided with a rectangular support frame 2, which at least at two sides 3, 3' is provided with a raised edge 4, as for instance shown in figures 2 and 3. Between said raised edges a first support member 5 is placed which is provided with a number of channel-shaped form members 6, 6', 6" ..., 6^π. The support member 5 and an associate form member 6, 6', 6" ..., 6ⁿ are here formed as one unity. The first support member 5 comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, six adjacent similarly shaped elongated channels which extend parallel to the sides 3, 3'.

As shown in the cross-section of figure 2, the raised edge 4 extends both at an upper side 7 and at a lower side 8 of the support frame 2. In the first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention between the raised edges 4 at the upper side 7, a first support member 5 is placed provided with a number of channels 6, 6', 6", ..., 6ⁿ. Between the raised edges 4 at the lower side 8 a second support member 9 is placed in the shape of a flat baking tray having a raised edge 9'.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which between the raised edges 4 at the lower side 8 a second support member 10 is placed which is provided with a number of channel-shaped form members 1 1 , 1 1 '. In the exemplary embodiment of the device as shown in figure 3, the channels 1 1 , 1 1 ' of the second support member 10 are wider than the channels 6, 6' of the first support member 5. The number of channels 1 1 , 1 1 ' of the second support member 10 will of course be smaller than the number of channels 6, 6' in the first support member 5. The second support member 9 therefore is adapted for processing differently shaped dough products than the first support member 5.

When the form members 5, 9 of the device according to the invention have sufficient firmness and rigidity, or if the device according to the invention is sufficiently supported in the device for treating dough products, a support frame is not necessary and can be dispensed with. Therefore a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention only comprises a first form member 5 and a second form member 10, as shown in figure 4.

Figure 5 shows a device according to the invention provided with two markings 20, 21 that are characterising for the respective types of support members and/or form members that have been placed in the device. The markings 20, 21 are shown for example in the form of a bar code. However other forms can also be used, such as for instance induction changing markings as described in Dutch patent specification 1001 507.

Figure 6 schematically shows a diagram of an assembly for dough treatment, comprising dough preparation device 51 , a dough lay-down machine 52 which lays dough portions in a form member of the devices for supporting dough portions, a proving cabinet 53, an oven 54, a cooling device 55, a device 56 for picking up dough products from the devices for supporting dough portions, a device 57 for bringing the devices for supporting dough portions back to the dough lay-down machine 52, and a device 58 for if necessary turning the devices for supporting dough portions. Along the device 57 for bringing back the device for supporting dough portions, a sensor can be positioned for determining the orientation of the devices for supporting dough portions according to the invention. Preferably said sensor is positioned such that the devices for supporting dough portions according to the invention pass by the sensor just before the device 58 for the turning if necessary of the devices for supporting dough portions. If necessary the device 58 is able to turn around the devices for supporting dough portions prior to loading them again with dough portions in the dough lay-down machine 52.

It will be clear that the exemplary embodiment of the invention described above is meant as an illustration of the invention and not to limit the invention. An expert will certainly be able to design alternative embodiments that fall within the scope of protection of the attached claims.

For instance the form members in the device according to the invention may also comprise bread pans or pastry moulds and the like. Said bread pans or pastry moulds are coupled such that the opening of a first bread pan or pastry moulds and the opening of a second bread pan or pastry mould face away from each other.

An exemplary embodiment of such a structure is shown in figure 7. Figure 7 shows a coupling plate 71 provided with an upper side 72 on which bread pans 74 and 75 are attached, and a lower side 73 to which bread pans 76 and 77 are attached. The bread pans 74 and 75 are attached to the coupling plate 71 with their respective openings facing upwards. The bread pans 76 and 77 are attached to the coupling plate 71 with their respective openings facing downwards.

The bread pans 74-77 may be of identical shape. Preferably the bread pans 74 and 75 have a different shape than the bread pans 76 and 77. With this device for supporting dough portions loafs of bread can be produced as desired in one of the two available moulds.

It is also possible that at each side 72, 73 of the coupling plate 71 differently shaped bread pans have been attached. For instance a bread pan 74 having shape A and a bread pan 75 having shape B at the one side 72 of the coupling plate 71 , and a bread pan 76 having shape C and a bread pan 77 having shape D at the other side 73, in which the shapes A, B, C and D are different. With this device for supporting dough portions loafs of bread can be produced as desired in one of the four available moulds. An advantage of such a device is that switching from the one to the other mould is simple and fast. Less capacity is available per loaf of bread mould. On the other hand it is also possible to simultaneously produce two differently shaped loafs of bread, for instance loafs of bread having shape A and B.

Another way of coupling bread pans according to the invention is shown in figure 8. Figure 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, comprising a coupling frame 81 provided with an upper side

82 on which bread pan 86 is attached, a lower side 83 on which bread pan

88 is attached, and two sides 84, 85 onto each of which a bread pan 87, 89 is attached. The bread pans 86 and 88 are attached on the coupling frame 81 with their openings facing away from each other. In this embodiment the openings of bread pans 87 and 89 also face away from each other.

In the exemplary embodiment as shown in figure 8 as well, it is possible that differently shaped bread pans are attached at each side 82, 83, 84, 85 of the coupling frame 81 . For instance a bread pan 86 having shape A, a bread pan 87 having shape B, and a bread pan 88 having shape C and a bread pan

89 having shape D, in which the shapes A, B, C and D are different.

The compact exemplary embodiment as shown in figure 9 comprises a coupling frame 9' provided with a bread pan 92 with its opening facing upwards, a bread pan 93 with its opening oriented to the right, a bread pan 94 with its opening facing downwards, and a bread pan 95 with its opening oriented to the left. The bread pans 92 and 94 thus are attached to the coupling frame 9' with their openings facing away from each other. In this embodiment the openings of bread pans 93 and 95 also face away from each other. An advantage of the embodiment as shown in figure 9 is that the bread pans are placed close together as a result of which the device takes up less space than the device of figure 8. In the embodiment as shown in figure 9 as well, it is possible that each bread pan 92, 93, 94 and 95 has a different shape.

Claims

1 . Device for supporting portions of dough, comprising a number of support members for supporting dough portions, a first support member comprising a first support surface for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a first position, and a second support member comprising a second support surface for a dough portion for supporting a dough portion when the device is placed in a second position having another spatial orientation than the first position, the first support member comprising a first form member provided with at least one cavity that is adapted to a shape of a dough portion.

2. Device according to claim 1 , the support surfaces of the first support member and the second support member, respectively, facing away from each other.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, the first form member comprising a number of adjacent similarly shaped elongated channels.

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, the first form member comprising a bread pan.

5. Device according to claim 1 , 2, 3 or 4, the first and second support member having a different shape.

6. Device according to claim 5, the second support member comprising a flat baking tray.

7. Device according to claims 1 -5, the second support member comprising a second form member provided with at least one cavity adapted to a shape of a dough portion.

8. Device according to claim 7, the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member being placed in different directions.

9. Device according to claim 8, the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member facing away from each other.

10. Device according to claim 8, the respective openings of the at least one cavity of the first form member and the at least one cavity of the second form member being at least virtually perpendicularly placed.

1 1 . Device according to claim 10, the device comprising at least four support members that have each been provided with a form member provided with at least one cavity adapted to a shape of a dough portion, the respective openings of the cavities of the form members of two adjacent support members being at least virtually perpendicularly placed.

1 2. Device according to claim 7-1 1 , the cavity of the first form member having a different. shape than the cavity of the second form member.

1 3. Device according to claim 7-1 2, the dimension of the cavity of the first form member being different from an adapted dimension of the cavity of the second form member.

1 4. Device according to claim 7-1 3, the second form member comprising a number of adjacent similarly shaped elongated channels, the elongated channels of the second form member having a different profile than the elongated channels of the first form member.

1 5. Device according to claims 7-14, the second form member comprising a second bread pan.

1 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, a dough supporting part of the first support member being at least partially formed from perforated material.

1 7. Device according to claim 1 6, a dough supporting part of the second support member being at least partially formed from perforated material.

1 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second support member being manufactured from metal and/or synthetic materials.

1 9. Device according to claim 1 8, the materials comprising one or more of the metals steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

20. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the first support surface being at least partially provided with a non-stick layer.

21 . Device according to claim 20, the second support surface being at least partially provided with a non-stick layer.

22. Device according to claims 20 or 21 , the non-stick layer comprising a "RO-silicon" or Teflon coating.

23. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the device comprising a marking forming a code for defining in an assembly for dough treatment, which of the support members of the device is being used as support of dough portions.

24. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the device comprising a support frame, and the first support member and the second support member being attached to the support frame.

25. Device according to claim 24, the first support member and the second support member being detachably attached to the support frame.

26. Device according to claim 24 or 25, the support frame virtually entirely surrounding the first support member.

27. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the support member and an associate form member being formed as one unity.

28. Assembly for dough treatment comprising a device for dough treatment and a device for supporting dough portions according to any one of the preceding claims.

29. Assembly for dough treatment according to claim 28, the assembly for dough treatment comprising a sensor for detecting at least one marking on the device for supporting dough portions in order to be able to determine which of the support members of the device for supporting dough portions is being used as support of dough portions.

30. Device for supporting dough portions, comprising one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

31 . Assembly for dough treatment, comprising one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.