GB2269810A - Depositing topping on a food base - Google Patents

Abstract

A depositing head for depositing sauces, toppings onto a base, eg a pizza base, comprises a head having a plurality of outlet nozzles 20 therein, a plurality of pegs 23 located inside the head and actuator means 25 enabling the head 3 to be moved relative to the pegs 23 between a first position in which the pegs 23 engage in and close the outlet nozzles 20 (Figure 2) and a second position in which the pegs 23 are disengaged from the outlet nozzles. In the second position an aperture 10 in an inner casing 2, moving with a plate 22 which carries the pegs, allows the sauce to enter the head from pipe 4. A mechanical spreader for spreading the topping over the base (52, Figure 4) comprises a spreader head consisting of a plurality of spreader assemblies which are mounted on a support rod, each spreader assembly being independently pivotable up and down on the support rod so as to be able to follow the surface contours of a base as the spreader head is rotated relative to the surface thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS The present invention relates to food processing apparatus. More specifically the present invention relates to a depositing head for depositing sauces, toppings, fillings and the like onto a base, and a mechanical spreader for spreading the sauce, topping, filling or the like over the base. The depositing head and mechanical spreader have particular, although not exclusive application, in the depositing and spreading of a topping sauce onto a pizza base. The depositing head and the mechanical spreader are principally intended for use in combination. However, it should be understood that they may find application separately and apart.

It is known to deposit a layer of topping sauce onto pizzas by passing the pizzas, on a travelling conveyor belt, through a curtain of topping sauce.

However, with this technique the topping sauce goes over the edge of the pizza base. This makes the edge of the pizza sticky to the touch when it is handled, can result in the topping sauce running off the pizza base when it is cooked and is generally thought to be aesthetically less appealing to consumers then a pizza with a clean border around its edge.

Of course, topping sauce can be deposited in a big dollop at the centre of a pizza base and then spread out to cover the pizza base to a point just short of the edge using a spreader or palette knife. This technique does provide an acceptable finish with thin "conventional" pizza bases which have a relatively smooth and evenly flat surface. However, with the so-called "deep pan" pizza bases which are becoming increasingly popular, this technique gives poor results. The surface of a deep pan pizza base tends to be very uneven and as a consequence thick pockets of topping sauce tend to collect towards the middle of the pizza base, whilst the sides of the pizza base have virtually no covering at all.

A further problem with conventional depositing heads is that, where the sauce includes particles the outlets in the depositing head are prone to blocking after a period of use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a depositing head which is able to uniformly deposit an accurate measure of sauce, topping, filling or the like onto a base.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanical spreader which is able to achieve a uniformly even spread of sauce, topping, filling or the like over a base.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a depositing head for depositing sauces, toppings, fillings and the like onto a base, comprising a head having a plurality of outlet nozzles therein, a plurality of peg members corresponding in number and position with the said outlet nozzles, which peg members are located inside the head, and actuator means whereby the head, can be moved relative to the peg members, between a first position in which the peg members engage in and close the outlet nozzles and a second position in which the peg members are disengaged from the outlet nozzles and the outlet nozzles are open.

When the depositing head in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention is opened by withdrawing the peg members from the outlet nozzles sauce can be deposited in uniform dollops over a base.

When the depositing head is closed by engaging the peg members in the outlet nozzles any sauce remaining within the head is prevented from dripping out and any sauce and particles in the sauce remaining in the outlet nozzles are expelled, thus preventing an accumulation of material around the outlet nozzles over a period of use which would otherwise impede and eventually block the flow of sauce.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mechanical spreader comprising a spreader head, actuator means whereby the spreader head can be engaged with and disengaged from a base, and drive means whereby the spreader head can be rotated above the surface of the base.

The spreader head comprises a plurality of spreader assemblies which are mounted on a support rod or pin and which are each independently pivotable up and down on the support rod so as to be able to follow the surface contours of a base as the spreader head is rotated above the surface thereof.

Each spreader assembly comprises a mounting block, a wire spreader and a lever arm or bob weight.

Preferably, the wire spreader has a U-shaped end which actually serves to spread sauce over a base.

Preferably, the spreader head comprises two or more arms which extend radially from the centre of rotation thereof, each of which arms carries a plurality of spreader assemblies.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through a depositing head in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, in which the depositing head is open; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through the depositing head of Fig. 1 in which the depositing head is closed; Fig. 3 shows a front view of the mechanical spreader in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 4 shows a side view of the mechanical spreader of Fig. 4 with the outer casing of the support arm cut away.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings the depositing head in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention comprises a tubular outer casing 1, a tubular inner casing 2 and a head 3.

The tubular outer casing 1 has an inlet pipe 4 in the side thereof which is adapted, in use to be connected to a conventional mechanism for dispensing pre-determined measures of sauce, topping, filling or the like. An air cylinder adapter 5 is screwed into the upper end of the outer casing 1 and retains in place an air cylinder actuator 6. The tubular inner casing 2 is received in the lower end of the outer casing 1 and the inner end thereof is connected to the air cylinder actuator 6. In this respect, a connecting boss 7 is screwed onto the piston 8 of the actuator 6 and a connecting pin 9 is passed through holes in the inner casing 2 and the connecting boss 7 to secure one to the other.

The inner casing 2 has an inlet port 10 in the side thereof and is adapted, in use to be slid up and down within the outer casing 1 by means of the actuator 6 to bring this inlet port 10 into and out of alignment with the inlet pipe 4. To facilitate movement of the inner casing 2 within the outer casing 1 and to ensure a fluid tight seal between the inner and outer casings 1, 2, a tubular bearing liner 11 and 0-ring 12 are located in recesses in the outer casing 1, both above and below the inlet pipe 4. To further accommodate movement of the inner casing 2 relative to the outer casing 1 and to prevent the inner casing 2 from twisting within the outer casing 1, a pair of elongate slots 13 are provided in the outer casing 1 within each of which a respective end of the connecting pin 10 is received. Each slot 13 defines a hole (not visible) at the upper end thereof which is equal in diameter to the body of the connecting pin 9 and this admits insertion of the connecting pin 9 through the holes in the inner casing 2 and the connecting boss 7. Over the rest of its length each slot 13 is substantially equal in width to the ends of connecting pin 9 which are slightly smaller in diameter than the body thereof. Thus the connecting pin 9 is able to slide freely up and down within the slots 13, but is retained in place and prevents twisting of the inner casing 2.

The head 3 comprises a hollowed out disc shaped member 14 having an aperture in the centre thereof through which the inner casing 2 is received. This disc shaped member 14 is secured in place on the end of the inner casing 2 between a circumferential lip 15 and a locking nut 16. A sealing ring 17 ensures a fluid tight seal between the disc shaped member 14 and the end of the inner casing 2. A face plate 18 is secured to the front of the disc shaped member 14 by means of knurled screws 19. These knurled screws can be tightened and untightened by hand, thus facilitating removal of the face plate 18 to clean the head 3 after use. The face plate 18 has several holes in it and in each of these there is screwed an outlet nozzle 20.

Between them, the hollowed out disc shaped member 14 and the face plate 18 define a chamber 21. Within this chamber 21 there is provided a disc shaped member 22 which carries a pluarlity of pegs 23 corresponding in number and position with the outlet nozzles 20 in the face plate 18. The disc shaped member 22 is fixed in position relative to the face plate 18 by means of locating pins 24 and is supported within the chamber 21 on the end of an actuator rod 25. The actuator rod 25 is, itself, fixed in position relative to the outer casing 1 by means of a cross pin 26 which passes through holes in the outer casing 1 and the actuator rod 25 and through slots 27 in the inner casing. The slots in the inner casing 2 are provided to allow the inner casing 2, and the head 3 which it supports, to move relative to the outer casing 1 and the disc shaped member 22.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings together the operation of the depositing head shown therein will be described.

As described previously hereinabove the depositing head is connected, in use, to a conventional depositor mechanism for dispensing predetermined measures of sauce, topping, filling or the like. Initially, the depositing head is filled with sauce so as to fill the chamber 21 and the space between the inner casing 2 and the actuator rod 25. In order to admit sauce into the depositing head the actuator 6 is actuated to slide the inner casing 2, and the head 3 which it supports, downwards. As shown in Fig. 2 this brings the inlet pipe 4 into alignment with inlet port 10 and allows sauce to flow into the depositing head. It also causes the pegs 23 to be disengaged from the outlet nozzles 20, thus opening the nozzles 20.When the depositing head is full and a predetermined measure of sauce is admitted under pressure into the depositing head, a corresponding amount of sauce is expelled through the outlet nozzles 20 onto a base positioned beneath the depositing head. The outlet nozzles 20 ensure an even distribution of sauce onto the base and by appropriate d1Lr1buLIoii of tlie outlet nozzles 20 in the face plate 18 it is possible to ensure that a sauce free border is maintained around the edge of the base. If the size of the base is reduced for any reason this can be accommodated by screwing stoppers into the outlet nozzles which are not required to be used.

When the required quantity of sauce has been deposited the actuator 6 is actuated to slide the inner casing 2 and the head 3 upwards to the position shown in Fig. 1. This interrupts the connection between the inlet pipe 4 and the inlet port 10 so that no more sauce is admitted to the depositing head. It also brings the pegs 23 into engagement with the outlet nozzles 20. Not only does this close the outlet nozzles 20 and thereby prevent sauce dripping from the depositing head, but it also has the effect of clearing the outlet nozzles 20 of any remnants of sauce so that they do not over a period of use become clogged with sauce.

The depositing of sauce onto a base can be assisted by rotating the head 3 as it deposits sauce.

In the depositing head shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the head 3 is rotatably mounted on the end of the inner cylinder 2 and the disc shaped member 22 is rotatably mounted on the end of the actuator rod 25. By forming a gear cut in the periphery of the disc shaped member 14 and engaging a drive gear therewith it is possible to ensure that the head 3 is rotated in use. (The locating pins 24 ensure that the alignment between the outlet nozzles 20 and the pegs 23 is maintained during this).

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings the mechanical spreader in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention comprises a tubular outer casing 41, a tubular inner casing 42 and a spreader head 43.

The tubular outer casing 41 fits over and is slidable up and down on the tubular inner casing 42 which is, itself, secured to a support arm 44, only partially shown, by means of screws (not shown). An air cylinder actuator 45 is connected between the arm 44 and the outer casing 41 and by its operation movement of the outer casing 41 up and down on the inner casing 42 is regulated. To facilitate movement of the outer casing 41 on the inner casing 42, tubular bearing liners 46 are provided between the inner and outer casings 41, 42, which bearing liners 46 are located in recesses in the inner casing 42. In order to locate the outer casing 41 on the inner casing 42 and to prevent twisting of the outer casing 41 on the inner casing 42, a locating pin 47 is provided in the side of the inner casing 42 which pin 47 is slidably engaged in a slot 48 cut in the side of the outer casing 41.

Positioned above the support arm 44 is a drive motor 49 which is connected to the spreader head 43 by means of a gearing arrangement, not shown in detail, but generally indicated by reference 50, and a drive shaft arrangement, generally indicated by reference 51.

The purpose of the drive motor 49, it should be explained, is to effect rotation of the spreader head 43 so sauce deposited on a base 52 is spread evenly thereover.

The drive shaft arrangement 51 comprises a connecting boss 53 which is keyed to the output shaft 54 of the gearing arrangement 50. The lower end of the connecting boss 53 defines a tubular portion 55 having two elongate, longitudinally extending slots 56 in the side thereof and within this tubular portion 55 there is received one end of a drive shaft 57. The drive shaft 57 can be slid up and down within the tubular portion 55, but is retained therein by means of a cross pin 58 which is inserted through a hole in the drive shaft 57 and the ends of which lie in the elongate slots 56.

The drive shaft 57 is connected to the outer casing 51 by means of two semi-circular locking plates 58. These locking plates engage in recesses in the body of the drive shaft 57 and are then secured to the bottom end of the outer casing 51 by means of screws, not shown. Of course, then the air cylinder actuator 45 is operated so as to push the outer casing 51 downwards on the fixed inner casing 52 this has the effect of also pushing down the drive shaft 57. However, the connection between the drive shaft 57 and the output shaft 54 of the gearing arrangement 50 is maintained by the connecting boss 54. In order to facilitate sliding movement of the drive shaft 57 within the inner casing 52, tubular bearing liners 59 are provided therebetween.

The spreader head 43 is connected to the drive shaft 57 by means of a mounting hub 60. To this end the mounting hub 60 is secured to a housing plate 61 of the spreader head 43 by means of screws, not shown, and to the end of the drive shaft 57 by means of a cross pin 62. The cross pin 62 is retained in place by an Oring 63. This gives a secure connection and has the advantage of enabling the spreader head 43 to be readily and easily detached from the drive shaft 57 for cleaning.

As can best be seen with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the housing plate 61 of the spreader head 43 comprises two arms 64, each of which carries a plurality of spreader assemblies 65. The spreader assemblies 65 carried by each arm 64 are all mounted on an elongate pin or rod 66 the ends of which are secured in the housing plate 61. Each spreader assembly 65 comprises a mounting block 67 having a hole in it through which the rod 66 passes, a wire spreader 68, the end of which is hooked or U-shaped, and a peg 69 which serves as a lever arm or bob weight. Each spreader assembly 65 is independently pivotable up and down about the rod 66 on which it is mounted and under its own weight and the action of the bob weight 69 tends to drop downwards.A second elongate pin or rod 70 is provided in front of the spreader assemblies 65 carried by each arm 64 and serves to prevent the spreader assemblies from dropping below the angle to the horizontal shown in Fig. 4. In operation the spreader head 43 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 4 and a base onto which sauce has already been deposited is positioned thereunder. Once the base is in position the spreader head 43 is pushed downwards by means of the air cylinder actuator 45 to engage with the base, as shown in Fig. 3, and the spreader head 43 is then rotated by means of the drive motor 49 over the surface of the base.As the wire spreaders 68 of the spreader assemblies 65 pass through the sauce deposited onto the base they spread it over the surface of the base, and because each spreader assembly 65 is able to ride freely up and down independently of the others, each spreader wire 68 is able to maintain constant contact with the surface of the base to ensure a constant and even spread of sauce, regardless of any irregularities in the surface contours of the base.

Moreover, by ensuring that the length of the spreader head 43 does not exceed the diameter of the base it is possible to retain a sauce free border around the base.

Conveniently, the depositing head and the mechanical spreader in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention are used in conjunction with a conveyor which carries the bases.

Operation of the depositing head and of the mechanical spreader can be initiated by means of a photocell detector which detects when each base is in the required position. In order to keep the bases in the required position relative to the depositing head and to the mechanical spreaders, mechanical fingers can be used to stop the bases whilst the conveyor continues to move thereunder. Alternatively, the depositing head and the mechanical spreader can each be mounted on a moveable arm which is synchronised to move with the bases for the distance required to effect the depositing and spreading operations.

Claims (12)

1. A depositing head for depositing sauces, toppings, fillings and the like onto a base, comprising a head having a plurality of outlet nozzles therein, a plurality of peg members corresponding in number and position with the said outlet nozzles, which peg members are located inside the head, and actuator means whereby the head can be moved relative to the peg members between a first position in which the peg members engage in and close the outlet nozzles and a second position in which the peg members are disengaged from the outlet nozzles and the outlet nozzles are open.

2. A depositing head according to Claim 1, wherein the head defines an enclosed chamber having a front face plate in which the said outlet nozzles are mounted and an inlet into the chamber for the material to be deposited by the depositing head.

3. A depositing head according to Claim 2, wherein the peg members are mounted on and carried by a supporting plate member which is located within the said chamber and is fixed in position relative to the front face plate in which the said outlet nozzles are mounted by means of locating pins.

4. A depositing head according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein movement of the head relative to the peg members to the said first position in which the peg members engage in and close the outlet nozzles also causes the supply of material to be deposited into the chamber through the said inlet to be interrupted.

5. A depositing head according to any preceeding claim, wherein the outlet nozzles are adapted to receive stoppers so as to vary the size of the area over which material is deposited by the depositing head.

6. A mechanical spreader for spreading sauces, toppings, fillings and the like over a base comprising a spreader head, actuator means whereby the spreader head can be engaged with and disengaged from the base, and drive means whereby the spreader head can be rotated relative to the surface of the base.

7. A mechanical spreader according to Claim 6, wherein the spreader head comprises a plurality of spreader assemblies which are mounted on a support rod or pin and which are each independently pivotable up and down on the support rod so as to be able to follow the surface contours of a base as the spreader head is rotated relative to the surface thereof.

8. A spreader head according to Claim 7, in which each spreader assembly comprises a mounting block, a wire spreader and a lever arm or bob weight.

9. A spreader head according to Claim 8, in which the wire spreader has a U-shaped end which serves to spread sauce over a base.

10. A spreader head according to any one of Claims 6 to 9 in comprising two or more support rods each of which extend radially from the centre of rotation thereof and each of which carries a plurality of spreader assemblies.

11. A depositing head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A spreader head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.