MXPA06002420A - Tortilla-making machine with continuous metal griddles or strips heated by high-temperature air. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a tortilla-making machine 1 with continuous metal griddles or strips heated by high-temperature air for producing nixtamalized-maize-dough tortillas, different types of totopos and fried foods, which comprises: a supply and shaping module 2 with a hopper 5 mounted on a head 6 that includes a receiving roller 9, a rolling roller 10 and a shaping or cutting roller 11 with spindles 9A, 10A and 11A, respectively, which are actuated by a motor 12, for receiving the dough from the hopper 5, rolling it and cutting it into the desired shape, and a conveyor 17 actuated by a conveyor roller for conveying the rolled, cut dough to a product-cooking module 3 that has three endless metal griddles or strips 20, 21 and 22 that have rollers 20C, 21C and 22C actuated by a motor 23, the strips or griddles 21 and 22 only having a non-stick covering on their outer surface in order to prevent the product sticking to them, and a calorific-energy supply module 4 that includes a heater 31 and a fan 31A whereby hot air is drawn through an inlet conduit 28 with three outlets, which enters into contact, by means of the air-retaining sections 30, with the inner surfaces of the strips or griddles 20, 21 and 22 in order to cook the product, the air already used by said strips or griddles 20, 21 and 22, now cooler, is recovered via the inlets of the air-extraction conduit 28A, which has, in its lower part, inside same, a conduit 28B that conveys fresh, oxygen-rich air, said fresh, oxygen-rich air being heated up by the passage of the recovered hot air and being sent to the heater 31 that has a gas inlet 32 and a fan 31A for circulating the hot air via the hot-air inlet conduit 28 towards the endless metal griddles or strips 20, 21 and 22. The recovered hot air is conveyed via a tube 28C towards the outside. In order to produce flour tortillas, use is made, instead of the supply and shaping module 2, of a supply and shaping module 2' that comprises: a wheat-flour-dough-rece iving hopper 5' of inverted pyramidal configuration, with a rectangular base and cylindrical bottom, mounted with a worm-type extruder 5'' that supplies a head of injectors 6' with the required quantity of wheat-flour dough, this supply and shaping module 2' comprising, at its start, a sieve C1 that deposits a layer of wheat flour on a conveyor belt B. After the injectors 6' there is a further sieve C2 that deposits another layer of wheat flour onto the dough, extruded in the form of small pellets, ready to enter a press PR for forming the wheat-flour tortilla and which contains a working plate P with non-stick material. Also, this supply and shaping module 2' has an open-mesh strip 17' for removing the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and conveying the product formed to the cooking strips or griddles 20, 21 and 22 in order for it to be cooked. The finished product is extracted via the strip or griddle 22.

Description

MACHINE TORTILLADORA OF CONTINUOUS METAL BANDS OR COMALES WARMED BY AIRÉ TO HIGH TEMPERATURES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for making tortillas and similar products and, more particularly, with a tortilla machine of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, ecological, economical, non-noisy and with low fuel consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At present, there are very noisy, expensive and extremely complicated tortilla machines, which, when they suffer faults or failures, are difficult to repair and, in most cases, become out of tune. Also, when said tortilla machines that are imported, fail, it is necessary to change one or more of their pieces, which are not in existence in the market or are no longer produced anywhere in the world, so that said tortilla machines are useless for long periods or indefinitely, which is contrary to the current economy. An example of the prior art is the tortillary machine protected in US Pat. No. 5,918,533 issued to Lawrence Equipment, Inc., whose tortilla machine includes a laminator, a heater and an oven. Likewise, there is a great variety of equipment that produces and cooks tortillas and figures of different sizes and weights, these devices generate a great waste of heat energy, since this is produced under the concept of open hearth (flare below comales, open ai environment) and, therefore, the equipment requires air circulation, producing a hot environmental environment that exceeds the optimal and adequate conditions for the development of any activity; this situation, therefore, generates a waste of fuel. Also these equipment exceed the noise levels, because their parts are friction and act on each other. Finally, the final product presents marks produced by the passage of the direct flame, through the open joints between the comal sections contiguous with each other. Another example of the previous art is the tortilla machine of the Mexican patent application MX199504995 which comprises: an oven that optimizes the production of tortillas, which is structured by three upper plates and two lower plates or bodies, whose objective is to store the heat that it is generated by the burner system; a band or comal that transports the tortillas in its cooking process, from the head of the tortilla machine, to the product receiver, with the length of the band or comal shorter than those currently used. This tortilla machine also has a only motor-reducer of low power that moves the head, the band or comal and a mesh of product; the burners are distributed in two groups, one above the band or comal and another below it, said burners being of atmospheric type, that is, they do not require a fan or blower to produce the air-fuel mixture. Yet another example is the tortilla machine claimed in the Mexican utility model application MX PA / U / 2001/0000384, which is of the type comprising in association: a head; a first frame that supports in its upper part to the head and in its intermediate part a driving means of a rotary movement transmission system; a second frame or chassis; a first and a second comal-bands; a first and a second conveyor meshes; a plurality of burners; a tray; and, a plurality of covers that cover the side and rear walls of the second frame; wherein the head in turn comprises control means for controlling the separation between the first and second rollers n placed on the front of the head; a separating or peeling wire to separate the tortillas from the second roller when they have already been cut, with the separating wire placed in the upper part of the head, which is placed diagonally along and as close as possible to the outside of the second roller; and, additionally, the head includes a pair of separator plates placed on its internal side walls, to prevent the Lubricating grease of the rotary motion transmission system penetrates the head and contaminates the raw mass and, on the other hand, prevents the raw mass from being embedded between the gears of the rotary motion transmission system, thus preventing it from jamming. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ecological, economical and fuel-saving tortilla machine. Another objective is to provide a simple tortilla machine, easy to operate and maintain, which, when there is a fault, is repaired as soon as possible, without any mismatch of each and every one of its components. Taking into consideration each and every one of the disadvantages of the prior art, as well as the mentioned objectives, and many not mentioned, the applicant of the present invention, carried out a number of tests and experiments that led him to design a an innovative tortilla machine, which evidently overcomes all the disadvantages of the prior art and provides multiple advantages, which is clearly of great importance in the part of the engineering where this invention is comprised. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The automatic tortilla machine of the present invention, for making and cooking tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different forms of tortilla chips, chips, and wheat flour tortillas, under the premises of high productive level, with a minimum of fuel consumption and elimination of noise, is formed by a feeding module and formed of nixtamalized corn masa tortillas , different shapes of tortilla chips, and fritters, of different thicknesses and shapes, or of a feeding module and formed of wheat flour tortillas, of different thicknesses and shapes, said feeding modules being formed of nixtamalized corn masa tortillas , different shapes of tortilla chips, and fritters, and wheat flour tortillas, respectively, interchangeable as desired, a product cooking module, and a heat energy supply module. In the module of feeding and forming tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different forms of tortilla chips, and fritters, the process of elaboration of the product begins, consisting of said feeding module and formed of tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different forms of chips, and fritters, of: a head mounted below a feed hopper, this head contains three rollers for rolling and forming nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fritters; namely: a receiving roller, a laminating roller coated with non-stick material, and a forming roller or cutter coated with non-stick material, which can be easily exchanged for form the type of product desired. Additionally, this feeding module and formed tortillas of corn masa nixtamalizado, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried, is supported on a base and has a roller to transport the rolled product and formed baking bands or comales. In the feeding and forming module of wheat flour tortillas, the product elaboration process is started, said feeding module consisting of wheat flour tortillas, consisting of: a receiving hopper of wheat flour dough, assembled with a worm-type extruder that feeds a nozzle head with the required amount of flour dough, this feeding module comprising wheat flour tortillas, at the beginning thereof, a sieve that deposits a layer of flour wheat on a conveyor belt; After the injectors is another sieve that, in the same way deposits a layer of flour but on the mass extruded and ready to enter a press that effects the formation of the wheat flour tortilla and that contains a plate of work with non-stick material. Also, this feeding module and formed of wheat flour tortilla, has an open mesh band to remove the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transport the product formed to the cooking bands or comales. This feeding module and formed of wheat flour tortillas, is supported on a base and allows to use a only injector in the head, when you want to make flour tortillas of greater dimension. The product cooking module includes the whole transport and cooking system of tortillas or desired figures, through three flat metal bands or comals, of material approved for food use, these bands or comales that are minimum thickness, are designed and manufactured to work at high temperatures, each of them is joined at their ends forming an endless band or comal, with the upper band or comal and the intermediate band or comal covered with non-stick material (Teflon) and the lower band or comal being uncoated with no material, since in this last band or comal, the tortilla or the desired figure is already cooked and there is no problem of adhesion, under this concept will eliminate the need to add lime diluted in water to avoid adherence and, therefore, Therefore, the spillage of lime particles in the mechanism. Additionally, the bands or comales will have a prolonged useful life, considering working days of eight or more hours per day. The heat energy supply module includes the entire heat energy supply system and consists of an air heater (heated with liquefied petroleum gas, or similar), a hot air inlet duct with three outlets and an extraction duct of air with three entrances. The air is transported through each outlet of the air inlet duct hot to each of the three cooking bands or comales independently, being found in each of the air outlets of the air intake duct, a hot air regulating gate; intermediate to the bands or comales is an isolated and closed enclosure, except in the upper part thereof, which remains in contact with the internal surface of the band or comal and is the only part through which heat is transmitted by means of convection, conduction and radiation; hot air passes through the enclosure, and is recovered by the entrances of the air extraction duct, which in the lower part has inside it a duct that leads fresh air and rich in oxygen, heating the fresh air and rich in oxygen through the passage of recovered hot air, and then this recovered hot air is conducted through a tube to the outside. The tortilla machine of this application is versatile, since it can elaborate and cook different forms of tortillas for table or for fried or dehydrated toasts, in addition to other types of similar products for snacks. This tortilla machine is very economical in its operation and handling, its heating system on belts or comales sinfín of minimum thicknesses only in required areas, the air confinement and the recovery of it, reduce up to 60% to 70% consumption made out of fuel; likewise, this tortilla maker is ecological, since its heating system by medium of oxygen-rich air for better combustion, does not generate the formation of soot below the bands or comales, the coating with non-stick material on the outer surface of the upper or intermediate bands or comales, avoids the use of lime diluted in water , which would cause the formation of superimposed layers of lime that would reduce the heat transfer in the bands or comales, as well as the detachment of said layers on the mechanisms or on the products and also avoids the need to carry out severe maintenance activities and very late. This tortilla machine is silent, because the use of bearings suitable for the type of work, as well as the use of traction bands in cooking bands or comales and without friction of supports, avoids the creation of noise. Said tortilla machine requires minimal maintenance, because: the flame does not remain in direct contact below the bands or comales; the temperatures in them are uniform due to the use of hot air; the rotation of the bands or comales sinfín is by means of pulleys and bands of traction in the same bands or comales sinfín; all of the above reduces the duration of maintenance work and eliminates many downtimes. Also, this tortilla maker is clean, because its modular concept eliminates the formation of soot, and its closed and removable stainless steel covers with thermal insulation, minimize cleaning operations.

The confinement of heating air through the entire cycle of operation of the tortilla machine, coupled with the protection by means of covers with thermal insulation, eliminates the existence of a hot environment uncomfortable for the operator. Additionally, at the beginning of the cooking module, there is a stainless steel cover that has a section with heat resistant glass, to observe the formation and start of cooking of the product. Likewise, the exchange of the forming roller or cutter is simple and there is no need to modify advance speeds or number of revolutions of the tortilla machine, since the forming roller or cutter is designed not to require adjustments for change in size or shape of product. Finally, due to the particular design of the tortilla machine, the use of parts that do not require lubrication, continuous metallic bands or comales, preheated to high temperatures and the confinement of the air, noise is eliminated, high temperatures are reduced in the environment, and cooking brands are eliminated in the products, providing the worker with better working conditions and the consumer a final product of very good quality and appearance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To give a better understanding of this invention, a detailed description thereof is given below, together with the accompanying drawings and in which: Figure 1 is a conventional perspective view of the tortilla machine of continuous metal strips or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, of the present invention, to make nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, or wheat flour tortillas; Figure 2A is a conventional perspective view of the feeding module and formed to make nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fritters; Figure 2B is another conventional perspective view of the feed and formed module of Figure 2A, without its covers; Figure 2C is a conventional perspective view of the feeding and forming module of the tortilla machine of Figure 1, for making wheat flour tortillas; Figure 3 is a conventional perspective view of the product cooking module of the tortilla machine of Figure 1; Figure 4A is a conventional perspective view of the heat energy supply module of the tortilla machine of Figure 1; Figure 4B is another conventional perspective view of Figure 4A; Figure 4C is still another lower conventional perspective view of Figure 4A; Figure 5 is another conventional perspective view of the tortilla machine of f / a Figure 1, where its components are illustrated; and Figure 6 is an operation diagram of the tortilla machine of Figure 1. PREFERRED MODE OF THE INVENTION. The tortilla machine 1 of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, of the present invention, to make tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, or wheat flour tortillas, in the form preferred, figures 1 and , is formed by either a feeding module and formed 2 for tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, or a food module and formed 2 'for wheat flour tortillas, figures 2A, 2B and 2C; a product cooking module 3, figure 3, and a heat energy supply module 4, FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. The feeding and forming module 2 for tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, illustrated in detail in Figures 2A and 2B, is composed of a hopper 5 receiving dough, inverted pyramid configuration, quadrangular base , hollow, said hopper 5 being mounted integrally on a head 6 having a pair of left and right side supports 6A and 6B connected at their four corners by connecting elements 7. Likewise, said lateral supports 6A and 6B are protected by a pair of stylized quadrangular side covers 8A and 8B, made of stainless steel. The head 6 includes a receiving roller 9 mounted on a receiving roller shaft 9A, a rolling roller 10 coated with non-stick material and mounted on a roller shaft 10A, and a forming roller or cutter 11 (figure 6), covered with material non-stick, mounted on a forming roller or cutter shaft 11 A placed below the rolling roller 10, the receiving roller 9, the rolling roller 10, and the forming roller or cutter 11 being placed horizontally and the receiving roller being practically parallel 9 and the rolling roller 10. Also the feeding and forming module 2 has an impeller motor 12 and connecting elements 12A, such as belts and pulleys coupled to the shaft 11A of the forming roller or cutter 11. The head 6 is supported by a base quadrangular vertically arranged, having stainless steel side covers left 13A, right 13B, and rear 13C; this base 13 has 14 crosspieces, 15 legs and 16 small wheels.

Additionally, the feeding and forming module 2 has, in its front portion, lower part, a stylized quadrangular conveyor 17 with adjustment elements 17A, driven by a conveyor roller (not shown) mounted on an axle 18A, the conveyor 17 serving to transport the rolled and formed product to the product cooking module 3. The feeding module and formed 2 'for making wheat flour tortillas, illustrated in detail in Figure 2C, is composed of : a hopper 5 'receiving wheat flour dough, inverted pyramidal configuration, rectangular base and cylindrical bottom, mounted with a worm-type extruder 5"feeding a head of injectors 6', with a required amount of dough of wheat flour, comprising this feeding module and formed 2 ', at the beginning thereof, a sieve C1 that deposits a layer of wheat flour on a conveyor belt B, after the injectors 6' there is another sieve C2 which, in the same way, deposit a layer of wheat flour on the mass extruded in the form of small balls and ready to enter a press PR that effects the shape of the wheat flour tortilla and contains a work plate P with non-stick material. Also, this module of feeding and formed 2 ', has an open mesh band 17' to remove the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transport the product formed to the cooking bands or comales. This feeding module and formed 2 'of wheat flour tortillas, has a drive motor and connecting elements (not shown), such as bands and pulleys coupled to an axis and it allows to use a single injector 6 'in the head, when it is desired to make tortillas of wheat flour of greater dimension. The feeding and forming module 2 'is supported by a quadrangular base 13' arranged vertically, having stainless steel side covers left 13'A, right 13'B, and subsequent 13'C; this base 13 'has 14' crosspieces, legs 'and small wheels 16'. The product cooking module 3 (FIG. 3) comprises an elongated and hollow rectangular structure 19, arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated sections 19A joined by short sections 19B, and vertical sections as legs 19C. Said structure 19 serves to support three flat metal baking sheets 20, 21, and 22 made of material approved for food use and which support high operating temperatures, the band or comal 22 being of greater length than the other two bands or comales 20 and 21, and being placed in the following order; first or in the upper part the band or comal 20, intermediate the band or comal 21 and below the band or comal 21, the band or comal 22. Each of the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22 is joined by their ends forming a band or endless comal. The bands or comales 20 and 21 are coated with a non-stick material (for example, Teflon) and the band or comal 22 does not have any non-stick coating, since when the product reaches the band or comal 22, it is already cooked, not existing therefore adhesion some of said product with the band or comal 22, so it is not necessary in any way, add lime diluted in water to the outer surface of the band or comal 22, which remains in contact with the product. This completely prevents the adhesion and spillage of lime particles, both in the components of the tortilla machine, and in the product that will be obtained from it. The structure 19 of the product cooking module 3 also includes; two axes 20A mounted on bearings 20B with two rollers 20C for sliding of the band or comal 20; two axes 21 A mounted on bearings 21 B with two rollers 21 C for sliding of the band or comal 21; and two axes 22A mounted on bearings 22B with two rollers 22C for sliding of the band or comal 22. Also, the product cooking module 3, includes a motor 23 with connecting and driving elements 23A, such as bands, pulleys, etc. ., to drive the rollers 20C, 21 C, and 22C and said product cooking module 3 is coupled at its rear end to the front of the feed module and formed 2. The heat energy supply module 4, (FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C), is an elongated stylized rectangular structure or enclosure 24 arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated side sections 25 joined at their ends by short side sections 26, being both in the back as in the front part of the structure or enclosure 24, transverse reinforcements 27, existing at the left end of the said structure or enclosure 24, a hot air inlet duct 28 with three outlets for transporting the hot air to the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, and existing in the left front lateral end, an air extraction duct 28A with three entrances to transport the hot air already used, now colder of the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22. The hot air is transported through each outlet of the hot air inlet duct 28 to each of the cooking bands or comales 20, 21, and 22 independently, through a plurality of hot air retaining sections, to cause that the hot air stays longer in contact with said bands or comales 20, 21 and 22; there being in each of the air outlets of the air inlet duct 28, a hot air regulating gate 29 thereby providing very hot air to the band or comal 20, hot air to the band or comal 21 and less hot air to the band or comal 22. Hot air already used, is recovered by the entrances of the air extraction duct 28A, which in its lower part has inside it a duct 28B that conducts fresh and oxygen-rich air, heating said air fresh air and oxygen rich by the passage of the hot air recovered and sent to a heater 31 (heated with liquefied petroleum gas) having a gas inlet 32, and a fan 31A for circulating the hot air through the hot air inlet duct 28 towards the endless metal strips or comales 20, 21 and 22. Finally, the recovered hot air is conducted through a tube 28C to the outside. Said heat energy module 4 is interleaved with the product cooking module 3, which is connected to the front part of the feed module and formed 2, as illustrated in FIG. 5. heat energy 4 with the interleaved product 3 cooking module, can be coupled to the 2 'shaped feed module. The tortilla maker 1 of figure 1, also includes in its upper part corresponding to the product cooking module 3, a quadrangular glass cover 33 for verifying or monitoring the formation and the start of cooking of the product, the glass cover being 33 framed by a frame also quadrangular 34 of stainless steel, and having the product cooking module 3 both on its right, left and front sides covers: stainless steel, respectively, and comprising on the upper part thereof, corresponding to the product cooking modules 3 and heat energy module 4, a triangular truncated roof 36 with a quadrangular base, finished off with another small pyramidal truncated cover 37 with a quadrangular base, having a quadrangular conduit 38, with a water condenser extractor 39, being the truncated cover pyramidal 36, the small pyramidal trunk cover 37 and the quadrangular stainless steel duct 38, being hollow and having thermal insulation. Likewise, on the right lateral side of the tortilla machine 1, in the part corresponding to the product cooking module 3, there is a quadrangular housing 40 of stainless steel, with thermal insulation, for housing and protecting the motor 23. When required or you need to make any of the products such as nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, especially by way of example, corn tortillas, an operator installs in the food module and formed 2 of the tortilla machine 1, the forming roller or cutter 11 having the configuration corresponding to corn tortillas, and coupling this power module and forming 2 to the product cooking modules 3 and to the heat energy supply module 4; then ignites the heater 31 and waits a predetermined time until reaching very high, elevated and less elevated temperatures in the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, respectively, for cooking the corn tortillas; then turn on motors 12 and 23; and then placed nixtamalized mass inside the hopper 5. During the operation of said tortilla machine 1, the receiving roller 9 and the rolling roller 10 pull the dough towards a space existing between them, and then said dough nixtamalized passes to the forming roller and cutter 11 where it is cut to the desired configuration .. The corn tortilla already cut and rolled passes to the conveyor 17 driven by the conveyor roller, which leads it to the product cooking module 3, in where the operator can observe through the glass cover 33, the corn tortilla formed and cut and verify if it complies with the required conditions. Next, the corn tortilla begins its cooking by its lower surface passing through the band or endless comal 20 until it turns 180 ° and is completely inverted on the band or endless comal 21 where the upper surface is cooked as it advances on it, until it turns 180 ° again and passes to the band or endless comal 22 for extraction of water and its final annealing, carrying out the cooking procedure of this corn tortilla at constant temperatures in each of the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, by the constant circulation of hot air through the retaining sections 30 of hot air. Finally, the well-cooked tortilla, finished and without contaminants, goes out through the front of the band or comal 22 and is collected manually or deposited in a suitable container for this.

Whenever wheat flour tortillas are required or needed, an operator connects the feeding module and formed 2 'to the cooking module 3 which has inserted therein the heat energy supply module 4 of the tortilla machine 1; then turn on the heater 31 and wait a predetermined time until reaching very high, high and less elevated temperatures in the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, respectively, for cooking the wheat flour tortillas; then turn on engines 12 and 23; and then place the wheat flour dough into the 5 'hopper. During operation of said tortilla machine 1, the wheat flour dough is absorbed by the worm-type extruder 5 which feeds a 6 'nozzle head with a required amount of wheat flour dough, then a layer is deposited of wheat flour that passes through the sieve C1 on a conveyor belt B, after the injectors is another sieve C2 that in the same way deposits another layer of wheat flour on the mass extruded in the form of small balls and ready to enter to a PR press that makes the wheat flour tortilla, then the flour tortilla is deposited in an open mesh band 17 'to remove the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transport the product to the cooking module of product 3, wherein the operator can observe through the glass cover 33, the wheat flour tortilla formed and verify if it complies with the required conditions. Next, the wheat flour tortilla begins its cooking by its lower surface passing through the band or endless comal 20 until it turns 180 ° and is completely inverted on the band or endless comal 21 where the upper surface is cooked as it advances on this, until it rotates 180 ° again and passes to the band or endless comal 22 for water extraction and its final annealing, carrying out the cooking procedure of this wheat flour tortilla at constant temperatures in each of the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, by the constant circulation of hot air through the retaining sections 30 of hot air. Finally, the well-cooked wheat flour tortilla, finished and without contaminants, goes out through the front of the band or comal 22 and is collected manually or deposited in a suitable container for this. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that changes and modifications of the description of this invention can be made, without departing from or departing from the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A tortilla machine of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, to produce tortillas of nixtamalized corn dough, different shapes of tortilla chips, and fried foods, comprising: a feeding module and shaped to receive, laminate and cut the dough; a product cooking module for receiving and cooking the laminated and cut dough, having a first upper endless metal band or comal, a second intermediate metallic endless band or comal and a third lower endless metal band or comal, each having the first, second and third metallic bands or comales, an external portion and an internal portion; a module for supplying heat energy, for providing hot air to the cooking module, for cooking the product; characterized in that: each of the first upper band or comal and the second intermediate band or comal has a non-stick coating on its outer part; the heat energy supply module includes a hot air inlet duct with three outlets, each having a hot air regulating gate, for transporting the hot air at different temperatures to the first, second and third bands or comales; a plurality of retaining sections of hot air, to cause hot air to remain in contact with the first, second and third bands or comales; a heater for heating air, and a fan for circulating hot air through the inlet duct, through the hot air retaining sections; the heat energy supply module also includes an air extraction duct with three inlets for extracting the hot air already used, now cooler, from the first and third bands or comales, having the air extraction duct in the part lower inside it, a duct that leads fresh air and rich in oxygen, heating said fresh air and rich in oxygen, by the passage of hot air recovered and sent to the heater; wherein the heat energy supply module is interspersed with the product baking module, which is engaged by its rear part to the front of the feed module and formed.
2. 2. A tortilla machine according to claim 1, wherein the feeding and forming module is constituted by: a mass receiving hopper, of inverted pyramidal configuration, quadrangular base, hollow; and a head having a pair of left and right side supports connected at their four corners by joining elements, the hopper being mounted integrally on the head.
3. 3. A tortilla machine according to claim 2, wherein the side supports are protected by a pair of stylized quadrangular stainless steel side covers.
4. 4. A tortilla machine according to claim 2, wherein the head is supported by a quadrangular base arranged vertically, having stainless steel covers lateral left, right, and rear; having the base crumbs, legs and small wheels.
5. 5. - A tortilla machine according to claim 2, wherein the head also includes a receiving roller mounted on a receiving roller shaft, a rolling roller coated with non-stick material and mounted on a roller shaft, and a forming roller or cutter coated with non-stick material, mounted on a shaping roller or cutter shaft, and positioned below the rolling roller, the receiving roller, the rolling roller, and the forming or cutting roller being placed horizontally and the receiving roller being practically parallel and the rolling mill roller
6. 6. A tortilla machine according to claim 5, wherein the feeding and forming module has a driving motor and connecting elements, such as belts and pulleys coupled to the forming or cutting roller shaft.
7. 7. - A tortilla machine according to claim 6, wherein the feeding and forming module includes in its front portion, lower part, a stylized quadrangular conveyor with adjustment elements, driven by a conveyor roller mounted on a roller conveyor shaft, serving the conveyor to transport the rolled and formed product to the product cooking module.
8. 8. A tortilla machine according to claim 1, wherein the product cooking module includes an elongated and hollow rectangular structure, arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated sections joined by short sections, and vertical sections by way of legs, serving the structure to support the first, second and third bands or metal comales, which are made of material approved for food use and support high operating temperatures, being the third band or lower comal longer than the first and second upper and intermediate bands or comales; each of the first, second and third bands or comales is joined at their ends forming an endless band or comal, the first and second bands or upper and intermediate comales being coated with a non-stick material and the third band or lower comal not being coated with any non-stick.
9. 9. A tortilla machine according to claim 8, wherein the product cooking module it has in its upper portion a quadrangular glass cover to verify or monitor the formation and the start of cooking of the product, the glass cover being framed by a quadrangular stainless steel frame, and having this product cooking module in both its right, left and front sides covered in stainless steel with thermal insulation.
10. 10. A tortilla machine according to claim 8, wherein the structure of the product cooking module also includes two axes mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding the first band or upper comal; two axes mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding the second band or intermediate comal; and two axles mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding of the third band or lower comal.
11. 11. A tortilla machine according to claim 8, wherein the product cooking module includes a motor with connection and drive elements, such as belts, pulleys, etc., to drive the sliding rollers of the first one, second and third bands or comales, the product baking module being coupled by a rear end to the front of the feed module and formed.
12. 12. A tortilla machine according to claim 1, wherein the power supply module The heat includes a stylized rectangular structure or enclosure, elongated, arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated lateral sections joined at their ends by short lateral sections, being found both on the back and on the front of the structure or enclosure, transverse reinforcements , and having on the side, rear part, the hot air inlet duct and in the front the extraction duct.
13. 13. A tortilla machine according to claim 12, wherein in the internal part of the structure or enclosure the plurality of hot air retaining sections are placed, these rectangular sections being rectangular, elongated and arranged in the form of warm air. horizontal and being perpendicular to the elongated sections.
14. 14. A tortilla machine according to claim 1, wherein the heater operates with liquefied petroleum gas.
15. 15. A tortilla machine according to claim 1, wherein the heat energy module has in its lower part a tube for driving the hot air recovered towards the outside.
16. 16. A tortilla machine according to any of the preceding claims, which includes, on the portion corresponding to the product cooking modules and supply of heat energy, a truncated pyramidal roof with a quadrangular base, finished off with another small pyramidal truncated roof with quadrangular base, which has a quadrangular conduit, arranged vertically, with an extractor - water condenser, the pyramidal truncated roof being , the small truncated pyramidal roof and the quadrangular hollow duct, and stainless steel with thermal insulation.
17. 17. A tortilla machine according to claim 16, which includes on the right side corresponding to the product cooking module, a quadrangular stainless steel housing with thermal insulation, to house and protect the motor.
18. 18. In a tortilla machine of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures according to any of the preceding claims, a process for manufacturing products such as nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different tortilla shapes, and fried foods; which comprises the steps of: installing in the feed module and forming the tortilla machine, the forming roller or cutter having the desired configuration of the product; turning on the heater and waiting a predetermined time until reaching different temperatures desired in the first, second and third bands or comales for cooking the product; turn on the motors; placing the dough inside the hopper, wherein the receiving roller and the rolling roller pull the dough towards the space between them, and then said nixtamalized mass passes to the cutter roll where it is cut to the desired configuration; the already cut and laminated product passes to the conveyor driven by the conveyor roller, which transports it to the product cooking module, in which it can be observed by the glass cover, the product formed and cut and verify if it complies with the required conditions; characterized by: starting the cooking of the product by its lower surface, making it pass over the first band or endless comal, until it turns 180 ° and is completely inverted on the second band or endless comal where the upper surface of the product is cooked, as it advances on the second band or endless comal, until it rotates 180 ° again and passes over the third band or endless comal for water extraction and its final annealing, carrying out the cooking of the product at different constant temperatures in each of the first, second and third bands or comales, by the constant circulation of hot air due to the retaining sections of hot air; finally, extract the well-cooked product, finished and without contaminants, from the front of the third band or comal and collect it appropriately.
19. 19. - A tortilla machine of continuous metal bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, to make wheat flour tortillas, comprising: a feeding module and formed to receive, extrude and shape the wheat flour dough; a product cooking module for receiving and cooking the extruded and shaped dough, having a first upper endless metal band or comal, a second intermediate metallic endless band or comal and a third lower endless metallic band or comal, each having the first, second and third metallic bands or comales, an external portion and an internal portion; a module for supplying heat energy, for providing hot air to the cooking module, for cooking the product; characterized in that: each of the first upper band or comal and the second intermediate band or comal has a non-stick coating on its outer part; the heat energy supply module includes a hot air inlet duct with three outlets each having a hot air regulating gate, for transporting the hot air at different temperatures to the first, second and third bands or comales; a plurality of retaining sections of hot air, to cause hot air to remain in contact with the first one for a longer time, second and third bands or comales; a heater for heating air, and a fan for circulating hot air through the inlet duct, through the hot air retaining sections; the heat energy supply module also includes an air extraction duct with three inlets to extract the hot air already used, now cooler, from the first second and third bands or comales, having the air extraction duct in its part Lower inside the same, a conduit that conducts fresh air and rich in oxygen, heating said fresh air and rich in oxygen, by the passage of hot air recovered and sent to the heater; and the heat energy supply module is interspersed with the product cooking module, which is attached to the front of the feed module and formed on its rear part.
20. 20. A tortilla machine according to claim 19, wherein the feeding and forming module is constituted by a wheat flour dough receiving hopper, of inverted pyramidal configuration, rectangular base and cylindrical bottom, mounted with an extruder worm type feeding a nozzle head, with a required amount of wheat flour dough; a first sieve to deposit a layer of wheat flour on a conveyor belt; a second sieve after the injectors, to deposit a layer of wheat flour on the extruded dough in the form of small balls and ready to enter a press that makes / forms the wheat flour tortilla, and contains a work plate with non-stick material.
21. 21. A tortilla machine according to claim 20, wherein the feeding and forming module further comprises an open mesh web for removing the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transporting the formed product to the first, second and third cooking bands or comales.
22. 22. A tortilla machine according to claim 21, wherein the hopper, the extruder, the first and second sieves, the press, the open mesh belt, and the conveyor belt are supported by a quadrangular base arranged vertically , which has stainless steel covers lateral left, right, and rear; having the base crumbs, legs and small wheels.
23. 23. A tortilla machine according to claim 22, wherein the feeding and forming module has a driving motor and connecting elements, such as bands and pulleys coupled to the extruder.
24. 24.- A tortilla machine according to claim 19, wherein the product cooking module includes a rectangular and elongated rectangular structure, arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated sections joined together by short sections, and vertical sections as legs, serving the structure to support the first, second and third metallic bands or comales, which are made of material approved for alimentary use and support high temperatures of operation, being the third band or lower comal of greater length than the first and second bands or upper and intermediate comales; each of the first, second and third bands or comales is joined at their ends forming an endless band or comal, the first and second bands or upper and intermediate comales being coated with a non-stick material and the third band or lower comal not being coated with any non-stick. 25- A tortilla machine according to claim 24, wherein the product cooking module has in its upper portion a quadrangular glass cover to verify or monitor the formation and the start of cooking of the product, the glass cover being framed by a frame also quadrangular of stainless steel, and having this product cooking module on its right, left and front sides covered with stainless steel with thermal insulation. 26- A tortilla machine according to claim 24, wherein the structure of the product cooking module also includes two axes mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding the first band or upper comal; two axes mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding of the second band or intermediate comal; and two axes mounted on bearings with two rollers for sliding of the third band or upper comal. 27. A tortilla machine according to claim 24, wherein the product cooking module includes a motor with connection and drive elements, such as belts, pulleys, etc., to drive the sliding rollers of the first one, second and third bands or comales, the product baking module being coupled by a rear end to the front of the feed module and formed. 28. A tortilla machine according to claim 19, wherein the heat energy supply module includes an elongated stylized rectangular structure or enclosure, arranged horizontally, and formed by elongated side sections joined at their ends by side sections short, found both in the back and in the front of the structure or enclosure, transverse reinforcements, and having on one side, rear side, the hot air inlet duct and in the front the air extraction duct . 29. A tortilla machine according to claim 28, wherein in the internal part of the structure or enclosure, the plurality of retainer sections of hot air, these rectangular sections being rectangular hot air, elongated and being arranged horizontally and being perpendicular to the elongated sections. 30.- A tortilla machine according to claim 19, wherein the heater operates with liquefied petroleum gas. 31.- A tortilla machine according to claim 28, wherein the heat energy supply module has in its lower part a tube for conveying the hot air recovered towards the outside. 32. A tortilla machine according to any of claims 19 to 31, which includes, on the portion corresponding to the product cooking and heat energy supply modules, a quadrangular truncated pyramidal roof, topped with another small one truncated pyramidal roof of quadrangular base, which has a quadrangular conduit, arranged vertically, with an extractor-water condenser, being the truncated pyramidal roof, the small truncated pyramidal roof and the quadrangular hollow duct, and being made of stainless steel with thermal isolation. 33. A tortilla machine according to claim 19, which includes on the right part corresponding to the product cooking module, a quadrangular stainless steel housing with thermal insulation, to house and protect the motor. 34.- In a tortilla machine of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, according to any of claims 19 to 33, a process for manufacturing products such as wheat flour tortillas, comprising the steps of : attach the feeding module and form wheat flour tortillas to the cooking module that has the heat energy supply module inserted; turning on the heater and waiting a predetermined time until reaching different temperatures desired in the first, second and third bands or comales for cooking the product; turn on the motors; placing the dough of wheat flour inside the hopper, then the dough of wheat flour is absorbed by the worm-type extruder feeding the injector head with a required amount of wheat flour; then a layer of wheat flour is deposited that passes through the first sieve on the conveyor belt, then passes to a second sifter that deposits another layer of wheat flour on the extruded mass in the form of small balls, which are introduced into the press that makes the wheat tortilla; said tortilla is deposited in an open mesh band to remove the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transporting the product to the product's cooking module, where the operator can observe through the glass cover the extruded and formed product and verify if it complies with the required conditions; characterized by: starting the cooking of the product by its lower surface, making it pass over the first band or endless comal, until it turns 180 ° and is completely inverted on the second band or endless comal where the upper surface of the product is cooked, according to advances on the second band or endless comal, until it rotates 180 ° again and passes over the third band or endless comal for water extraction and its final annealing, carrying out the cooking of the product at different constant temperatures in each of the first, second and third bands or comales, by the constant circulation of hot air due to the retaining sections of hot air; Finally, extract the well-cooked product, finished and without contaminants, from the front of the third band or comal and collect it appropriately. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A machine / tortilla maker 1 of continuous metallic bands or comales, heated by air at high temperatures, is provided for making nixtamalized corn masa tortillas, different shapes of tortilla chips and fried foods, comprising: a feeding module and formed 2 with a hopper 5 mounted on a head 6 that includes a receiving roller 9, a rolling roller 10 and a forming roller or cutter 11 with axes 9A, 10A and 11 A, respectively, driven by a motor 12, to receive from the hopper 5 the dough, laminate it and cut it into desired shape, and a conveyor 17 driven by a conveyor roller to transport the cut and laminated dough to a product cooking module 3 having three endless metal bands or comales 20, 21 and 22 that have rollers 20C, 21 C and 22C driven by a motor 23, only having the bands or comales 21 and 22 a non-stick coating on its external surface to prevent the adhesion of over them; and a heat energy supply module 4 including a heater 31 and a fan 31A by means of which hot air is conducted through an inlet duct 28 with three outlets, which comes into contact by means of the air retaining sections 30, with the internal surfaces of the bands or comales 20, 21 and 22 to effect the cooking of the product, the air already used by said bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, now colder, is recovered by the entrances of the extraction duct of air 28A, which has in its lower part inside thereof a duct 28B that conducts fresh and oxygen-rich air, said fresh and oxygen-rich air being heated by the passage of the recovered hot air and being sent to the heater 31 having an inlet of gas 32 and fan 31A for circulating the hot air through the hot air inlet duct 28 towards the endless metal strips or comales 20, 21 and 22. The recovered hot air is conducted through a tube 28C to the outside. To make flour tortillas, instead of the feeding and forming module 2, the feeding and forming module 2 'is used, which comprises: a hopper 5' receiving flour dough of wheat, of inverted pyramidal configuration, rectangular base and cylindrical bottom, mounted with a worm-type 5"extruder feeding a nozzle head 6 ', with a required amount of wheat flour dough, this feed module comprising and forming 2', at the beginning thereof, a sieve C1 depositing a layer of wheat flour on a conveyor belt B, after the injectors 6 'is another sieve C2 that deposits another layer of wheat flour on the mass extruded in the form of small pellets and ready to enter a press PR for forming the wheat flour tortilla and containing a work plate P with non-stick material Also, this feeding module and formed 2 ', has an open mesh band 17' to eliminate the excess wheat flour from the tortilla and transport the product formed to the cooking bands or comales 20, 21 and 22, for its cooking and the finished product is extracted by the band or comal 22.