FR3085823A1 - BREAD DIVIDING MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BREAD BAGUETTES AND DIVIDING METHOD THEREFOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (1) for cutting and shaping in a single operation a mass of dough for food use in order to obtain a series of doughs in the form of bread sticks, said machine (1) comprising: - a tank (11) provided with a movable bottom (13) on which the mass of dough is intended to be deposited, - a movable cover (12) for closing the tank (11), - a series of movable blades (14) for dividing the mass of dough into several dough pieces of elongated shape, - actuating means (15, 16, 17) suitable for ensuring, after placing the dough mass on the bottom (13) and closing of the cover (12), raising the bottom (13) for the compression and spreading of the dough, then the outlet of the blades (14) with a view to cutting the dough into several elongated dough pieces.

Description

Bread dough dividing machine for making bread sticks and method for dividing it

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to bakery machines and, more particularly, machines used in bakeries to split a mass of bread dough into dough blocks of substantially equal mass.

The present invention relates to a machine for cutting dough pieces from a block of dough for the production of bread sticks.

State of the art

The dividing machines, used in a fairly widespread way in the bakery field, make it possible, from a relatively large mass of bread dough, to form dough blocks of substantially equal mass.

For the production of bread sticks, a divider has been proposed which operates as follows.

A mass of dough having a predetermined weight is first deposited on the particular bottom with which the divider tank is provided. This bottom is animated by an upward movement controlled by the user when the tank lid is closed so as to compact the dough so as to distribute it well in the tank.

Once this step has been carried out, the operator opens the tank cover and folds down a pivoting grid door which allows a number of dough pieces to be divided and formed in a single manual operation.

Once the grid holder is raised manually, the operator can remove the elongated dough pieces intended to constitute, after baking, baguettes of bread.

A disadvantage of this type of divider is that the cut of the dough pieces is not clean at their ends so that the dough pieces must be separated manually from each other before being taken out of the tank to be shaped and then cooked .

This type of divider requires multiple operator manipulations which can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the operator.

Other types of dividers exist but they do not allow a finished product to be obtained, the dough pieces obtained requiring additional shaping operations.

There is therefore an alternative need to the dividing machines of the prior art for:

- obtain dough pieces in a block of dough whose shape is close to the shape of bread sticks,

- reduce musculoskeletal disorders in operators, and

- improve productivity.

Statement of the invention

The object of the invention is to propose an improved dividing machine which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art cited above.

For this, the invention relates to a machine for dividing dough pieces in a block of dough for food use, such as bread dough, with a view to obtaining a series of dough pieces of elongated shape and the production of baguettes. of bread.

Such a machine for cutting and shaping, in a single operation, a mass of dough for food use with a view to obtaining a series of dough pieces in the form of bread sticks comprises:

- a tank provided with a movable bottom on which the mass of dough is intended to be deposited,

- a movable cover for closing the tank,

- a series of movable blades for dividing the mass of dough into several dough pieces of elongated shape, and

- actuating means capable of ensuring, after placing the mass of dough on the bottom and closing the cover, raising the bottom for the compression and spreading of the dough, then the output of the blades in view cutting the dough into several elongated dough pieces.

Thus, in a single cycle, the machine of the invention automatically cups the dough to distribute it well in the tank and then cuts the dough pieces.

The device for actuating the bottom of the receptacle and the mechanism for moving the cutting blades are actuated in succession so that after placing a mass of dough on the bottom and closing the cover, the bottom is moves upwards ensuring the compression of the dough and its spreading over the entire surface of this bottom, and so that, then, the blades protrude out of the bottom in order to make the clean cut of the dough into dough pieces so as to get a finished product.

The operator only manipulates the machine cover, which reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and improves productivity.

Even more advantageously, the opening and closing of the cover can be automated.

According to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the blades are arranged in the tank, the movable bottom having several juxtaposed plates of rectangular surface and each extending from a first side of the tank to a second side of the tank , opposite the first side, the plates being separated by slots for passage of the blades.

Advantageously, the machine comprises springs for pressing the blades against the cover.

Advantageously, the machine comprises shims for lateral guiding of the blades.

According to a particular implementation of the invention, the interior volume of the tank is of rectangular section.

According to different implementations of the invention, the plates have a flat or concave cross section.

According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the blades are arranged in the cover.

The invention also relates to a process for dividing a mass of dough for food use into dough pieces of elongated shape using a machine according to the first particular embodiment, said process comprising:

- A step of filling the tank with a mass of bread dough deposited on the plates of the movable bottom of the tank;

- a step of closing the cover of the tank;

- A step of moving the bottom of the tank towards the cover for the compression of the dough;

- A step of moving all of the blades from a retracted rest position to a deployed working position in which they abut against the inner surface of the cover to divide the dough into several pieces;

a step of opening the cover, and

- a step of raising the bottom towards the opening of the tank to allow the recovery of the divided dough pieces.

Advantageously, the division method comprises, after the step of compressing the dough and before the step of dividing the dough into several pieces, a step of decompressing the dough by moving the bottom in the direction opposite to the direction of displacement of the bottom for compression of the dough.

Optionally, before the lid is opened, the blades are slightly lowered towards the bottom of the tank and therefore partially retracted.

List of Figures

The invention, as well as the various advantages which it presents, will be more easily understood on reading the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and of the accompanying drawings, among which :

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dividing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cover of the tank being closed,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial views, in section, of the same dividing machine in the packing position of the dough to be divided,

FIGS. 4 to 6 are partial views, in section, of the same dividing machine in the dough cutting position,

FIG. 7 is a block diagram, in partial section, of a dividing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cover of the tank being closed, and

- Figure 8 is a block diagram, in partial section, of another dividing machine.

Detailed description of the invention

In Figure 1, there is shown a general perspective view of a dividing machine for baking dough according to a first embodiment of the invention.

It is designated by the general reference numeral 1 and comprises a tank, or receptacle, 11 provided with a movable cover 12 for closing the tank 11.

In FIGS. 2 to 6, for reasons of clarity, the cover 12, in the closed position, is not shown.

As illustrated in the partial view of FIG. 2, the tank 11 comprises a movable bottom 13 which is controlled by an appropriate actuating device (hydraulic cylinder or the like), capable of moving it vertically in one direction and in the other at inside the tank 11.

The tank 11 defines a volume 110 substantially rectangular parallelepiped.

In FIG. 1, the pivoting cover 12 rests in the closed position on the upper edge of the tank 11 and comprises means for locking the cover on the tank. 11

As can be seen in Figures 2 to 6, the movable bottom 13 consists of a set of plates, or floats, 131 of plastic, for example, to prevent the adhesion of the dough. In the example illustrated, ten plates 131 juxtaposed parallel to each other each extend without interruption over the width of the tank 11, from a first side 111A of the tank 11 to a second side 111B of the tank 11 , opposite the first side 111A.

The plates 131 delimit rectangular portions of equal surfaces between which slide blades, or knives, 14 made of stainless steel, or of another material, mounted on a support or base 16.

Thus, several blades 14 (nine in this case in the example illustrated) can move vertically in the tank 11 under the action of motor means between:

- A retracted rest position in which the upper end of the blades 14 is positioned below the upper surface of the plates 131 on which the dough is intended to rest (Figures 2 and 3) or slightly above the upper surface of the plates 131 (of the order of 2 or 3 mm for example), and

an active position for dividing the dough into substantially identical dough pieces, in which the upper end of the blades 14 projects and is in contact with the inner surface of the cover 12 (FIGS. 4 to 6).

The width of the slots for passage of the blades 14 extending between the plates 131 is chosen to allow the passage of the vertical blades 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

The blades 14 and the plates 131 extend here in parallel in a transverse direction of the tank 11 but may, in a variant, extend parallel in the longitudinal direction of the tank 11.

The plates 131 are carried by vertical support rods 17 bearing on a first flat base 15.

The blades 14 are carried by a second flat base 16 capable of sliding vertically so as to move the blades 14 from the retracted position of rest to the active position for dividing the dough, and vice versa.

In the example illustrated, each bottom plate 131 is carried by two support rods 17 spaced apart in the transverse direction of the tank 11.

The bottom 13 is movable vertically in order to ensure a certain pressure of the dough between this bottom 13 movable vertically and the cover 12 of the volume 110 inside the machine 1 (packing position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3), then the blades 14 arranged in the movable bottom 13, in the same direction, move and divide the mass of dough (under pressure or after a slight decompression thereof by lowering the movable bottom), into ten dough pieces (Figures 4 to 6) in the illustrated example.

This division takes place very easily because the blades 14 which, being able to pass through the movable bottom 13, rise completely up to contact with the cover 12.

Optionally, before the opening of the cover 12, the blades 14 can be slightly lowered.

Once the cover 12 is open, the movable bottom 13, made up of all the plates 131, can be reassembled so that the dough cut into dough pieces is located outside of the tank 11, which facilitates the recovery of the dough pieces .

It is noted that the cutting can be carried out in two passes of the blades 14 so as to ensure a frank cut of the dough pieces and an easy removal of the latter from the tank 11.

Furthermore, starting from the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the movable base 13 can descend slightly to decompress the dough before cutting.

Once the cut has been made, it is possible to open the cover 12 and raise the bottom 13 in order to easily remove the divided dough pieces.

The dough pieces which are separated from each other can be easily removed to be placed in the oven directly or after a waiting period.

The process for dividing a mass of bread dough into dough pieces by means of a machine 1 as defined above thus comprises:

- A step of opening the cover 12 of the tank 11;

a step of filling the tank 11 with a mass of bread dough which is deposited on the plates 131 of the movable bottom 13 of the tank 11, the bottom 13 being in the low filling position (not illustrated in the figures);

- A step of closing the cover 12 of the tank 11;

- A step of moving the bottom of the tank 13 from the low filling position to a high position for compressing or tamping the dough so as to obtain regular dough weights once the cut has been made (Figures 2 and 3 );

- a possible (optional) step of decompression of the dough by displacement of the bottom 13 of the tank from the high position to an intermediate position located between the low filling position and the high position;

- A step of moving all of the blades 14 from the retracted rest position to the high active position in which they abut against the inner surface of the cover 12 to divide the dough into several pieces (ten pieces in this case ) extending in parallel (Figures 4 to 6);

- A step of opening the cover 12 which can be done automatically;

- A step of moving up the bottom 13 of the tank 11 so that the bottom 13 comes to be placed flush with or above the peripheral rim of the opening of the tank 11 (raising the bottom of the tank is such that it is mounted to the level of the upper end of the blades), and

- a step of sampling the dough pieces.

It is then that the assembly consisting of the bottom of the tank and the blades 14 is moved to the low position for filling the tank.

Thus, to summarize, the dough is distributed homogeneously over the entire surface by rising from the bottom 13 to the cover 12 at a predetermined pressure or else chosen by the operator. Then, when this distribution is achieved, the blades 14 disposed between the plates 131 rise to cut the dough compressed by the movable bottom 13 inside the tank 11 into identical dough pieces of elongated shape.

Such a method makes it possible to obtain dough pieces of elongated shape from a mass of dough, these dough pieces having the shape required for their subsequent baking, without the need for shaping, and being best separated from each other, which facilitates handling and baking.

The elongated dough pieces constitute a finished product and are intended to be baked for the preparation of bread sticks.

The operating cycle of the divider 1, described above, is therefore the following. A fraction of dough is placed in the tank 11, the cover 12 is then closed. The supply of a jack, or any other means, is then established to control the rise of the first base 15 and of the support rods 17 carrying the movable bottom 13 so as to compress the fraction of dough inside the tank 11. The movable bottom 13 is maintained in the tamping position and the blades 14 are controlled to move by a jack, or any other means, acting on the second flat base 16 which slides vertically towards the cover 12.

The blades 14 then pass through the volume occupied by the fraction of dough which is divided into as many dough pieces as the movable bottom 13 has plates 131.

After opening the cover 12, the movable bottom 13 can be brought to the level of the peripheral edge of the opening of the tank 11 to facilitate gripping of the various split and divided dough pieces.

Such a machine 1 makes it possible to automatically obtain dough pieces shaped in an elongated shape which is close to the shape of the bread sticks.

The invention thus provides a high-performance machine, of simple and robust construction, and which requires for its operation only a very small staff and few manipulations.

In the example illustrated, and as shown in FIG. 6 in particular, each blade 14 is associated at the level of its base with:

a spring 141 for plating the blades 14 against the cover 12 in order to ensure a clean cut of the dough over the entire length of the plates 131 so as to obtain a finished product, without snagging between the ends of the dough pieces, and

- A wedge 142 for lateral guidance of the blades 14 which is intended to reduce the lateral clearance of the blades 14 and which comes into contact with the internal wall of the tank.

In the example illustrated, each blade 14 is associated with two plating springs 141 which are arranged around studs (not visible) connecting the blade 14 to the second flat base 16.

In the example illustrated, each blade 14 is associated with two shims 142 located at the two ends of the corresponding blade 14.

It should be noted that the tank 11 can be of square section rather than rectangular.

Furthermore, the bottom plates 131 can be flat or concave (as in the example illustrated in the figures).

In the embodiment considered where it has been assumed that the machine 1 was designed to obtain ten pieces of dough from each of the masses of pasta introduced into the tank 11, nine blades 14 are carried by the second base 16 mobile. It goes without saying, however, that the aforementioned numbers can vary to a very large extent depending on the volume of the tank 11 and the number of dough pieces to be obtained from each mass to be divided.

In a second embodiment of the invention illustrated schematically in Figure 7, inside the cover of the dividing machine is mounted a series of movable cutting blades 14, controlled by a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric mechanism suitably agency.

Slots in the inner wall of the cover 12 allow the blades 12 to pass therethrough (mode 1). These blades 14 are therefore retracted into the cover 12 when they are inactive and deploy out of the cover 12 when they are active to cut the dough into dough pieces of elongated shape in order to obtain bread sticks.

In this case, the bottom of the tank of the dividing machine may include, in addition, a set 18 of blades and plates as used in conventional dividers for obtaining unelongated blocks of dough.

A removable, rigid or flexible separating plate 19 is in this case provided above the assembly 18 of blades and plates of the tank 11, so that the movable blades 14 of the cover 12 divide the dough up to 'to come into abutment against this plate 19 located in the tank 11.

In an alternative embodiment, the tank may comprise only a rising plate forming a movable bottom for the compression of the dough, the knives housed in the cover ensuring the division of the dough thus packed when they are deployed towards the bottom of tank.

According to another approach, illustrated schematically in Figure 8, inside the cover 12 of the dividing machine is mounted a series of fixed blades 14. Inside the cover 12 is also mounted a series of movable plates 121 arranged between the fixed blades 14 and able to slide between the latter (the plates 121 can go up or down, and are shown here in their low position).

These plates 121 can retract upwards so that the dough is cut by the blades 14 when the plate 19 rises.

These plates are locked in the low position thus allowing tamping and then unlocked to allow cutting.

In this case, the bottom of the tank of the dividing machine may include, in addition, a set 18 of blades and plates as used in conventional dividers for obtaining unelongated blocks of dough.

A removable, rigid or flexible separator plate 19 is in this case provided above the assembly 18 of blades and plates of the tank 11, and is intended to receive the dough to be divided. Once the dough has been compacted by the movable plates 121, the plate 19 rises and brings the plates 121 up until it comes into contact with the fixed blades 14 by dividing the dough.

In an alternative embodiment, the tank may comprise only a rising plate forming a movable bottom for the compression of the dough, the knives housed in the cover ensuring the division of the dough thus packed when the tray of the tank rises.

Claims (10)

1. Machine (1) for cutting and shaping in a single operation a mass of dough for food use with a view to obtaining a series of doughs in the form of bread sticks, characterized in that 'she understands : - a tank (11) provided with a movable bottom (13) on which the mass of dough is intended to be deposited, - a movable cover (12) for closing the tank (11), - a series of movable blades (14) for dividing the mass of dough into several dough pieces of elongated shape, - actuating means (15, 16, 17) suitable for ensuring, after the introduction of the mass of dough on the bottom (13) and closing of the cover (12), the elevation of the bottom (13) for the compression and spreading of the dough, then the outlet of the blades (14) for cutting the dough into several dough pieces of elongated shape. 2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blades (14) are arranged in the tank (11), the movable bottom (13) having several juxtaposed plates (131) of rectangular surface and each extending from a first side (111A) of the tank (11) to a second side (111B) of the tank (11), opposite the first side (111A), the plates (131) being separated by slots for passage of the blades (14). 3. Machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises springs (141) for plating the blades (14) against the cover (12). 4. Machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises shims (142) for lateral guidance of the blades (14). 5. Machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the volume (110) inside the tank (11) is of rectangular section. 6. Machine (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the plates (131) are of flat or concave cross section. 7. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blades (14) are arranged in the cover (12). 8. Method for dividing a mass of dough for food use into dough pieces of elongated shape by means of a machine (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises: - A step of filling the tank (11) with a mass of bread dough deposited on the plates (131) of the mobile bottom (13) of the tank (11); - A step of closing the cover (12) of the tank (11); - A step of moving the bottom (13) of the tank (11) towards the cover (12) for the compression of the dough; - A step of moving all of the blades (14) from a retracted rest position to a deployed working position in which they abut against the inner surface of the cover (12) to divide the dough into several pieces; a step of opening the cover (12), and - A step of raising the bottom (13) towards the opening of the tank (11) to allow the recovery of the divided dough pieces. 9. A method of dividing according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises, after the step of compressing the dough and before the step of dividing the dough into several dough pieces, a step of decompressing the dough by 5 movement of the bottom (13) in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the bottom (13) for the compression of the dough. 10. A dividing method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, before the opening of the cover (12), the blades (14) are partially 10 retracted.