WO2019040112A1

WO2019040112A1 - Automatic machine for making pastry

Info

Publication number: WO2019040112A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/000366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodrigo CORDOBA
Original assignee: Tigout Inc.
Priority date: 2017-08-21
Filing date: 2018-08-20
Publication date: 2019-02-28

Abstract

An apparatus for baking pastry products, wherein one or more packages, each containing a pastry dough, are introduced and which are capable of being opened, wherein the apparatus comprises a support module that defines a receiving housing,- a baking module that defines an interior enclosure that has a shutter gate that forms a passage between said support module and said enclosure and a conveyance mechanism movably mounted between said at least a support module and said at least a baking module.

Description

APPARATUS FOR BAKING PASTRY PRODUCTS

State of the art of the invention

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the production of pastry, bakery and salty products, and more particularly it relates to an apparatus for cooking or baking pastry products from a prepared and packaged pastry dough, and even more particularly the invention relates to a preferably automatic machine for baking a pre-prepared (uncooked - raw) dough, batter or fluid packaged for the production of pastry products, the invention also providing the package of prepared dough which package is fed to the machine of the invention for obtaining the pastry product baked and ready to consume .

Description of the prior art

There are countless machines, apparatus and devices for the preparation of products for food consumption, including machines for preparing coffee, machines for kneading and baking bread, as well as other products such as baked dough known as "waffles", tortillas, pancakes and the like. The vast majority are bulky machines for industrial use while a few are for home use and there are no domiciliary and preferably automatic machines that can bake a pre-prepared dough to obtain a ready-to-eat pastry product .

Among the machines for industrial use, the European Patent EP 1902620 may be mentioned which describes an automatic wafer cooking apparatus for baking wafers from a liquid or pasty dough, comprising two cooking molds, each having cooking plates, movement means for moving at least one plate with respect to the other so that each baking mold can move from a closed configuration to an open configuration, heating means for heating the plates to a predetermined cooking temperature, means for injecting a predetermined amount of dough between the baking plates of each mold, and means for removing a baked wafer from a baking mold, wherein each baking mold is stationary in the apparatus and is independent from the other.

Another known machine is that of the French Patent FR 2672774 which serves to prepare unit quantities of dough, which can be automatically stored, kept and dispensed, such as waffles, pancakes and similar products, wherein starting from unit quantities of dough containing, thoroughly mixed, the ingredients of the mixture and the machine is automatic and comprises an isothermal storage enclosure for the stacks of unit dough quantities, means for taking a quantity of dough and for distributing it to a timed heating system having molds for waffle and a system for ejecting the products once they have been cooked.

French Patent FR 2764417 discloses a potato chip vending machine which has a storage space containing the pre-cut chips which are placed in individual containers stacked on inclined shelves and then chips are conveyed to a heating chamber, and when the chamber is heated, it is turned to pour the chips in a container ready for being delivered to the exit where the user picks up the package.

Patent US 5433139 discloses a bread making machine that prepares a dough by mixing and kneading water and ingredients poured into a bread baking box. The bread making machine is provided with an outdoor air temperature detector and an outdoor air humidity detector, and a dough fermentation condition corresponding to a predetermined degree of bread rise based on the correlation data of the outside air temperatures and humidity of the air, degree of rise and the values detected by the outside air temperature and humidity detectors.

The published Patent Application US 2015/0044340 discloses a method and a machine for the automatic preparation of flat breads, i.e. in the form of a tortilla, which comprises a feeding system and compartment for transporting several capsules that are hermetically sealed and that contain a portion of dough to produce a single flat bread, a system for opening each first capsule that arrives by pressure or by means of cutting so that the dough is ejected from the capsule and falls on a hot cooking plate, there being also a second hot plate. At least one of the two hot plates can be moved to open and allow the dough to fall and then closed to cook the dough to form the tortilla or pancake. Then a receiving compartment receives the finished flat breads when the hot plates are opened to drop the cooked breads . This machine is in general of industrial use and, although it could reduce its size for a domiciliary use it does not have a configuration prepared for it. In addition, it is restricted to baking dough to obtain tortilla or pancakes, that is to say flat products, which, in general, are not subjected to leavening or fermentation processes but only to baking. Therefore, its configuration results in a simple combination of two hot plates between which the dough is received; they are closed to bake the dough and opened to let it fall.

The market, preferably, but not restrictively , of home appliances, lacks a machine that can receive different types of dough already prepared, packaged in unit quantity form, for example capsules capable of being fed into the machine for baking dough and obtaining pastry products that require fermentation and rising of the dough inside an oven that may generate conditions of uniform and controlled heat to allow the correct baking of the product, being also able to deliver the product in conditions to be consumed immediately .

Brief description of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus or machine for obtaining a pastry product from packages or unit capsules containing a ready-made pastry dough, "batter", fluid which can be inserted into the apparatus of the invention to cook or bake the dough and to obtain a pastry product delivered by the apparatus in conditions to be consumed immediately.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus for obtaining a pastry product from packages or unit capsules containing a pastry dough already prepared (without pre -cooking - raw) and which when inserted inside the apparatus of the invention, one at a time or several simultaneously, are opened so as to arrange the dough inside mold to bake it and obtain a pastry product delivered by the apparatus in conditions to be consumed immediately, all automatically.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for baking pastry products, wherein the machine is able to receive at least a package containing a pastry dough and the package can be opened, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a support module that defines a receiving housing; at least a baking module that defines an interior enclosure having a shutter gate that forms a passage between said support module and said enclosure; at least a conveyance mechanism movably mounted between said at least a support module and said at least a baking module.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a package containing a pastry dough for use with the apparatus of the invention, which comprises a capsule having a mouth sealed by a seal cap that can be removable or collapsible.

Brief description of drawings

For greater clarity and understanding of the object of the present invention, it has been illustrated in several Figures, in which the invention has been represented in one of the preferred embodiments, all by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 show a perspective view taken from the front and back of the apparatus of Figure 1, wherein one can observe in more detail the interior thereof;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a support module according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the support module of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows an exploded view of a baking module according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows an perspective view of a conveyance mechanism according to the present invention;

Figures 9 and 10 show a side view of the conveyance mechanism of Figure 8, wherein the vertical movement of a carriage can be observed according to the present invent ion ;

Figures 11 and 12 show a top view of the conveyance mechanism of Figure 8, wherein the pivoting movement of a conveyance arm can be observed according to the present invention;

Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the conveyance mechanism de Figure 8;

Figures 14 to 16 show different views of a capsule with removable seal cap according to the present invention, which will be used, but not being limited to, for the first and second embodiments;

Figures 17 to 20 show the steps for baking a pastry product according to the first preferred embodiment, wherein, Figures 19 and 20 correspond to a step for taking and introducing the capsule in the baking module;

Figure 21 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in a second preferred embodiment;

Figure 22 shows an exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 21;

Figure 23 shows an exploded view of an opening module according to the second preferred embodiment;

Figure 24 shows an perspective view of the opening module according to the second preferred embodiment ;

Figures 25 to 29 show steps for baking a pastry product according to the second preferred embodiment, wherein, one can observe in more detail the way in which the seal cap of the capsules is removed prior to its introduction in the baking module;

Figure 30 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in a third preferred embodiment;

Figure 31 shows an exploded view of the apparatus de Figure 30;

Figure 32 shows an exploded view of an opening module according to the third preferred embodiment; Figures 33 to 36 show steps for baking a pastry product according to the third preferred embodiment, wherein, one can observe in more detail the mixture prior to the introduction in the baking module;

Figures 37 to 39 show different views of a collapsible capsule according to the present invention, which shall be used, but not being limited to, for the third embodiment;

Figure 40 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention en a fourth preferred embodiment;

Figure 41 shows a perspective view of the apparatus de Figure 40;

Figure 42 shows an exploded view of an opening module according to the fourth preferred embodiment;

Figures 43 to 46 show steps for baking de a pastry product according to the fourth preferred embodiment, wherein, one can be observe in more detail the mixture prior to the introduction into the baking module;

Figures 47 to 50 show different views of a collapsible capsule according to the present invention, which shall be used, but not being limited to, for the fourth embodiment; y

Figures 51 and 52 show the steps for removing the product already obtained from the baking module for consumption . Detailed description of the invention

For the purposes of the description referred to this invention the terms bake, cooking, baking, to cook or to bake shall be interpreted as equivalent, and are the action for obtaining a pastry product in conditions to be consumed and obtained from a dough prepared with the ingredients comprising it according to the type of pastry product you want to obtain.

Prepared dough or pre-prepared dough are understood as any dough prepared and mixed with the ingredients comprising it, whereon it is uncooked, that is, raw.

A pastry product is any product such as bread, dough, pastries, sweets, salty products, etc. that is obtained from a dough that can rise or not, its volume, that can be leavened or fermented.

The package that can be opened can be any closed package, container or receptacle that contains a pastry dough and that is capable of being opened by breaking it, by extrusion, by crushing, by removing some sealed part, such as a removable cap, so as to being able to remove the raw or already baked dough, and which is made of any material capable of containing an edible product, the material being able to resist the baking temperature for the edible product contained.

The apparatus of the invention will be described below in detail with respect to four preferred embodiments thereof which will be identified according to the action that is carried out on the package or capsule containing the pastry dough to be baked.

Thus when the capsule or package has a removable seal cap that is manually removed and then the capsule is inserted into the apparatus, the embodiment will be referred to as an apparatus with manual removal of the capsule seal .

When the capsule or package has a removable seal cap and is inserted closed inside the apparatus, and the cap is removed by the inner mechanisms of the apparatus, the embodiment shall be referred to as an apparatus with automatic removal of the seal.

When the capsule or package is collapsible and/or breakable and is inserted closed inside the apparatus, and the opening of the capsule is made by means of an inner plunger or piston of the apparatus, for the expulsion of the dough contained inside the capsule, the embodiment shall be referred to as an apparatus with piston extrusion.

When the capsule or package is collapsible and/or breakable and is inserted closed inside the apparatus, and the opening of the capsule is made by means of an inner roller of the apparatus that slides or rolls on the capsule, for the expulsion of the dough contained inside the capsule, the embodiment shall be referred to as apparatus with roller or cylinder extrusion.

Referring now to figures, it is seen that the invention consists of an apparatus for obtaining baked pastry products for consumption, being for manual use, preferably partially automatic, and more preferably for fully automatic operation. The apparatus, according to a first embodiment, is illustrated together in Figures 1, 3 and 4, without its outer cover or casing in order to see all its interior components that make up the invention. For better understanding of the structure, mechanisms and components, Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the apparatus of Figures 1, 3 and 4.

Thus, and according to a first preferred embodiment, there will be provided a description of the apparatus with manual removal of the seal of the capsule which is indicated by the general reference 1. Said apparatus comprises a chassis or frame 2 that has a lower platform 3 which in its corners is provided with respective crossbars 4 that act as structural columns, projecting themselves upwards to support an upper platform 5 on which an electronics module and interface 6 is arranged. The chassis or frame 2 is designed to house inside at least a support module 7, at least a baking module 8 and at least a conveyance mechanism 9.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the support module 7 defines a receiving housing 10 of at least one capsule and/or a baking mold, which shall be described below. Said support module 7 has a demoulding tray 11 having a receiving opening 12 of said capsule and/or said mold and a side cut 13 for the passage of said conveyance mechanism 9, further having cooling means 14 and reading sensors 15 for said capsule and/or mold. The demoulding tray 11 is mounted on a demoulding base 16, both parts being centered through a pair of lateral centering pins 17.

With respect to the baking module 8, Figure 7, it comprises a pair of front -side 18 and rear 19 covers which are connected to each other through respective centering elements 20 to define an interior enclosure having a shutter gate 21 arranged more particularly on the front face of the cover 18 to form a passage between said support module 7 and said interior enclosure.

Likewise, the baking module 8 comprises an inner cabinet 22 in a cylindrical shape which will act as an "oven" for cooking the pastry dough, wherein it has an opening 23 arranged aligned in a coinciding manner with the shutter gate 21 for receiving in its interior, and more particularly in an interior base 24, said capsule and/or mold for the subsequent cooking of the dough.

Between the front -side cover 18 and the inner cabinet 22 there is a rotary door subassembly 25 that rotates between a passing position to allow the entry and/or exit of the capsule and/or mold, and a closing position to allow the insulation of the inner cabinet 22 to perform the cooking of the pastry product. The rotation of the rotary door 25 is achieved thanks to an inner turning disc 26, an upper element 27 and a drive assembly comprised of an "apys" motor 28 mounted on an inner rotation motor- reducer support 29 supported by a pair of motor support posts 30.

Also, there is a cam having optical sensor 31 in conjunction with a sensor holder 32 in which a pair of optical sensors 33 are mounted. Finally, the motor 28 rotably drives the rotary door subassembly 25 through a rotating shaft. 34 - turning bushing 35 - bearing 36.

For its part, the inner cabinet 22 has at its upper part at least one thermocouple 37, while in the lower part a heating arrangement is housed which is comprised by a heating resistor 38, a fan 39 and a lower element 40.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 13, said conveyance mechanism 9 is a conveyance mechanism of at least one of said capsule and said mold and is movably mounted between said at least a support module 7 y said at least a baking module 8. Wherein, said conveyance mechanism 9 has support means 41 for taking said capsule and/or mold of said support module 7 and carrying it inside said enclosure of said at least a baking module 8.

Said at least a conveyance mechanism 9 comprises an arm 42 bent and pivotably mounted and vertically movable on a carriage 43 movable along at least one guide rod 44, while said support means 41 comprises magnetic means present at a distal end of the arm 42 for said capsule and/or mold made of a metallic material to magnetically adhere to said distal end of the arm 42.

Likewise, the arm 42 has a proximal end, a pivot center and said distal end. The pivot center comprises a through hole within which a turning and fixing mechanism is mounted which is comprised of a turning shaft 45, a spacer bushing 46, both bearings 47, a set screw 48 and washer 49. In this way, the arm 42 is fixed at the top at a distal end of said carriage 43, being fixed at the bottom to the carriage 43 through a screw-washer assembly.

It is noted that the carriage 43 has a through hole at its distal end in order to allow the passage and fixation of the turning shaft 45, so that, consequently, it allows the pivoting movement of the arm 42. In addition, the turning shaft 45 has both ends threaded to allow the threaded fixing of the aforementioned screws.

On the other hand, the proximal end of the arm 42 has a through hole that receives a first arm rotating assembly comprised of a connecting rod shaft 50, a bearing 51, a washer 52 and a set screw 53. A link element 54 has respective holes 55 and 56 which extend downwards projecting in the form of bushings. The projected hole 55 fits outside the bearing 51 of the aforementioned rotating assembly. While, in the projected hole 56 a second arm rotating assembly comprised of a bearing 57, a crank connecting rod shaft 58, washer 59 and screw 60 is mounted.

To carry out the pivoting movement of the arm 42, a motor 61 is provided which drive shaft is connected to a crank bushing 62 which in turn is connected to a proximal end of a crank 63. The crank 63 has a distal end through which it is operatively connected to said second arm turning assembly in order to carry out the pivoting movement of the arm 42. Both the motor 61 and the crank bushing 62 are mounted on a support plate 64, in which, in addition, both position sensors 65 are mounted. The support plate 63 is mounted on said carriage 43 through respective bolts or fixing screws.

As mentioned above, the arm 42 can perform a pivoting movement, thanks to that described above, and a vertical movement. To achieve vertical movement of the arm 42, there is an ascending-descending mechanism comprised of a motor 66 connected to a toothed pulley 67 which is operatively in conjunction with a toothed pulley with bearing 68, between which a toothed belt 69 is mounted. The motor 66 is mounted on a support plate 70 through a motor- reducer nut 71, said support plate 70 being fixed to the upper platform 5, while, said toothed pulley with belt 68 is mounted on a fixed shaft support 72 through a set of bearings 73 and pulley shaft 74, said fixed shaft support 72 being fixed to the lower platform 3.

The operative connection between the ascending- descending mechanism and the arm 42 is achieved thanks to the provision of a toothed support for belt 75 which "tightens" a portion of the toothed belt 69 against one of the faces of the carriage 43, being fixed to it through a pair of screws or bolts. In this way, as the toothed belt 69 moves in one direction or the other, the carriage 43 shall move vertically in conjunction with the arm 43 upwards or downwards. In order to provide a better and more adequate movement of the carriage 43, a second guide rod 76 is provided, which can be provided, together with the guide rod 44, with respective recirculating ball bushes 77. Likewise, a sensor support 78 has been provided, in which a pair of optical sensors 79 are arranged. Referring now to Figures 14 to 16, one can observe the illustration of a capsule 80 which has a pastry product inside it and whose mouth is sealed by a removable seal cover 81 that extends beyond the capsule or package to define a tab 82. Likewise, the capsule 80 has a collapsible dome portion 83.

It is emphasized that the capsule 80 illustrated in Figures 14 to 16 can be used in any of the four embodiments without any inconvenience, wherein this is not a limitation for the invention.

As it has been described in relation to figures 1 to 4, the apparatus basically comprises one or more support modules 7 each of which has the described receiving housing; one or more baking modules 8 each with an interior enclosure that has a shutter gate y one or more conveyance mechanisms 9 that move to carry one or more dough containing capsules from the support module to the interior of the enclosure of the baking module or oven.

Said described apparatus corresponds to one of the embodiments of the invention, referred to as manual removal of the seal of the capsule that is illustrated in Figures 14 to 16, its operation shall be described in relation to Figures 17 and 18. Thus, Figure 17, in the first instance one should take a capsule or package 80 and remove detaching, by means of the tab 82, the seal cap 81, as best illustrated in Figure 16. Once the seal cap 81 has been removed, the capsule 80 is placed in the receiving housing 10, defined by the extension of the receiving opening 12 of the demoulding tray 11. According to figure 18, the support module 7 is entered inside the apparatus through a gate, which has not been illustrated, to assist with the understanding of the object of the present invention.

In this way, the capsule or package is inside the apparatus for the subsequent cooking of the dough or pastry product. Then, proceed to press one or more buttons provided on the electronics module and interface 6 that has a display or screen 84 in conjunction with a processor 85 and PCB 86 through which you can display, activate and enter data related to cooking time, temperatures, alarms, capsule entry, capsule exit, status data, type of dough to be cooked, etc. However, the data can also be pre-set to facilitate operations. When buttons are pressed, the conveyance mechanism 9 continues with the capture and introduction of the capsule into the baking module 8.

It is emphasized that the steps or stages for taking the capsule and/or mold and the subsequent introduction into the baking module 8, are the same for all embodiments . That is why, the description that shall be provided below is also valid for all the embodiments of the present invention, this not being a limitation for the invent ion .

According to Figures 19 and 20, the capture and introduction of the capsule 80 will be carried out in the baking module 8. For this, the arm 42 first descends to a height below the base of the capsule 80. It must be remembered that, the support module 7 has a lateral cut 13 for the passage of the arm 42 which is provided with (magnetic) support means 41 that will be positioned below the capsule to take it.

According to Figure 19, the color of the capsule is identified, which will serve as a mold in this first embodiment, through a color sensor 15. The user can confirm the cooking from the interface of the screen 84 or from a cellphone application. Next step, the arm 42 takes the capsule 80 and pivots so as to insert it into the interior of the internal cabinet 22. Once inside, the pastry dough is cooked by the heating arrangement comprised of the heating resistor 38 and fan 39.

It is explained that initially the arm 42 is in the position illustrated in Figure 11. When pivoting as illustrated in Figure 12, the arm 42 introduces the capsule 80 or mold into the baking module 8. When the capsule 80 is removed, the arm 42 returns to its initial state (Figure 11) . When the pastry product 87 is obtained, the arm 42 is activated to remove the capsule 80 from the baking module 8 to enter it again in the receiving housing 10 which is provided with cooling means 14. Then, the support module 7 of the apparatus 1 with the pastry product 87 ready to be consumed is removed.

In this way, the first preferred embodiment referred to as apparatus with manual removal of the seal of the capsule is constituted.

Referring now to figures 21 to 29, in a second preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention corresponds to said apparatus with automatic removal of seal 101. However, it is explained that same reference numbers shall be used to indicate those parts equal to those described in the first embodiment, whereas, reference numbers from 100 shall be used to indicate those parts that match the second preferred embodiment.

Thus, this second preferred embodiment is characterized in that it provides a capsule opening module 102 to open said capsule 80 containing pastry dough. Wherein, said capsule opening module 102 comprises a rotating roller 103 driven by driving means and having a longitudinal slot 104 for receiving said tab 82 from the removable seal cap 81 of said capsule 80 and for removing it from the capsule 80 when rotating about it. The driving means may be any driving means capable of causing the rotating roller 103 to make a linear rotary translation to allow the removal of the seal cap 81 of the capsule 80. By way of example, but not limited thereto, the driving means illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 may comprise at least one pulley motor 105 and a pair of toothed pulleys 106 between which a toothed belt 107 is mounted to allow the movement of the rotating roller 103.

Likewise, there is provided an opening motor block 108 and an opening bushing 109 between which said rotating roller 103 is rotably mounted, whereby a second translation motor 110 allows the rotation of the rotating roller 103. It is emphasized that both the motor block 108 and the opening bushing 109, guidedly move through respective guide rods 111. Thus, to achieve the rotational and translational movement of the rotating roller 103, the motor block 108 is connected to the toothed belt 107 through a toothed belt support 112. In this way, as the rotating roller 103 rotates and moves, the seal cap 81 of the capsule 80 is removed .

As it has been described in relation to Figures 21 to 24, the apparatus basically comprises one or more support modules 7 each of which has the described receiving housing; one or more baking modules 8 each with an interior enclosure that has a shutter gate y one or more conveyance mechanisms 9 that move to carry one or more dough containing capsules from the support module to the interior of the enclosure of the baking module or oven. Likewise, it stands out for having one or more opening modules 102.

Said described apparatus corresponds to one of the embodiments of the invention, referred to as automatic removal of the seal of the capsule that is illustrated in Figures 14 to 16, its operation shall be described in relation to Figures 25 to 29. Thus, in the first instance the capsule is placed on the tray 11, more particularly in the housing 10 and enters into the apparatus of the invention 1011. Once inside, Figure 26, the type of capsule is identified by means of a color sensor 15. The user can confirm the cooking from the interface of the screen 84 or from a cellphone application. Next, the seal cap 81 of the capsule 80 is removed for the subsequent taking and introduction thereof into the baking module through the conveyance mechanism 9.

It is noted that, it can be seen in Figure 25 and more particularly in Figure 26, that the tab 82 of the seal cap 81 is housed inside the slot 104 of the rotating roller 103. According to Figures 26 to 29, one can observe in more detail the removal of the seal cap 81 of the capsule 80. Once the removal of the seal cap has been completed, the capsule is taken and introduced into the baking module through the conveyance mechanism 9, as described above with reference to Figures 19 and 20. As in the first embodiment, the capsule will be used as a mold.

Once inside the baking module 8, the pastry dough is cooked by the heating arrangement comprised of the heating resistor 38 and fan 39. Once the pastry product is obtained, the arm 42 is activated to remove the capsule 80 from the baking module 8 to enter it again into the receiving housing 10 which is provided with cooling means 14. Then, the support module 7 of the apparatus 1 with the pastry product 87 ready to be consumed is removed.

In this way, the second preferred embodiment referred to as apparatus with automatic removal of the seal of the capsule is constituted.

Referring now to figures 30 to 36, in a third preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention corresponds to said apparatus with piston extrusion 201. However, it is explained that same reference numbers shall be used to indicate those parts equal to those described in the first embodiment, whereas, reference numbers from 200 shall be used to indicate those parts that match the third preferred embodiment.

Thus, this third preferred embodiment is characterized in that it has an opening module 202 of capsule through extruding means of the capsule to eject the dough contained in the capsule and drop it into a baking mold. Wherein, said extruding means comprises a removable drawer 203 with front 204 and decorative applique 205, which has a block 206 that forms a receiving opening 208 of capsule 207 and a piston 209 connected to an actuator mechanism, the piston 209 being movably mounted through said receiving opening 208 of the capsule 207 to crush said capsule 207 and eject its contents.

In relation to the actuator mechanism, it can comprise a connecting rod 210 which proximal end is connected to a crank 211 through a bearing assembly 212 - connecting rod bushing 213 and which distal end is connected to the piston 209 through a bushing 214. Driving of the actuator mechanism is provided by an actuator assembly comprised of a motor-reducer 215 that drives a pair of toothed pulleys 216 between which a toothed belt 217 is mounted, one of said pulleys 216 being connected to an engagement shaft 218 which drives the crank 211.

The engagement shaft 218 is mounted on a fixed shaft holder 219 through a bearing 223, and has a bottom 220 screwed to a left support 221 and a front 222 welded thereto. For its part, said motor-reducer 215 is mounted on an adjustable support 224. The left support 221 is arranged in conjunction with a right support 225 as best illustrated in Figure 32, wherein said left support 221 has a pair of sensor supports 226 in which respective optical sensors 227 are arranged.

Likewise, a drawer bottom 237 is provided which receives said drawer 203, said drawer bottom being fixed and connected to said left 221 and right 225 supports through carriage guide shafts 226 guided by means of respective left 227 and right 228 drawer side guides. Both the shafts 226 and the side guides 227-228 are fixed through respective bolts or screws. On the other hand, said extruding means are associated with preheating means 229 and at least one temperature sensor 230 which senses the temperature of the capsule before extrusion.

In this third preferred embodiment, there is a collapsible capsule 231, Figures 37 to 39, which has a base portion 232 which faces said piston 209 and a collapsible dome portion 233, wherein said base portion 232 has a punch portion 234 extended toward said dome portion 233 to perforate it and eject the dough 235 contained in the capsule .

As it is a collapsible capsule, a mold 236 that receives the dough and serves to bake the dough 235 shall be used. It is recalled that the capsule 231 is arranged inside the receiving opening 208 of the removable drawer block 203 While, the mold 236 is arranged in the housing 10 of the tray 11 of the support module 7. As the mold 236 is on the tray 11, said arm 42 is vertically movable between at least one position on said support 7 and a second position immediately below said removable drawer 203 to allow the dough 235 to fall into said mold 236.

As it has been described in relation to Figures 30 to 33, the apparatus basically comprises one or more support modules 7 each of which has the described receiving housing; one or more baking modules 8 each with an interior enclosure that has a shutter gate; one or more collapsible capsule opening modules with extractor means and one or more conveyance mechanisms 9 that move to carry one or more dough containing molds from the support module to the opening module, from the opening module to the support module, y from the latter to the interior of the enclosure of the baking module or oven.

Said described apparatus corresponds to one of the embodiments of the invention, referred to as capsule piston extrusion that is illustrated in Figures 37 to 39, its operation will be described in relation to Figures 33 to 36. Thus, Figure 33, in the first instance capsule 231 is placed inside the receiving opening 208 of the removable drawer 203 and entered in the apparatus 201, the type of capsule being identified by means of a color sensor 15, as best illustrated in Figure 34. The user can confirm the cooking from the interface of the screen 84 or from an cellphone application.

Next, the arm 42, which takes the mold 236, moves vertically from the support module 7 towards the opening module 202, being below the receiving opening 208, as best illustrated in Figure 35. To be below the receiving opening 208, arm 42 pivots as illustrated in figure 12.

In this way, the piston 209 is actuated and compresses the capsule making it possible that the dough being contained be delivered into the mold 236, as best illustrated in Figure 36. Once the dough is delivered, the arm 42 pivots again to return to the original position, see Figure 11, and descends to the support module 7. After the arm 42 has been descended and being in the support module 7, the following steps correspond to the introduction in the baking module 8, product baking, removal of the baking module, cooling in the support module 7 and removal for consumption, which are sufficiently described and illustrated, and for such reasons, we will not go into more descriptive details.

In this way, the third preferred embodiment referred to as apparatus with piston extrusion is constituted .

Referring now to Figures 40 to 46, in a fourth preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention corresponds to said apparatus with roller or cylinder extrusion 301. However, it is explained that same reference numbers shall be used to indicate those parts equal to those described in the first embodiment, whereas, reference numbers shall be used from 300 to indicate those parts that match the fourth preferred embodiment.

Thus, this fourth preferred embodiment is characterized in that it has a capsule opening module 302 that comprises extruding means of the capsule to eject the dough contained in the capsule and drop it into a baking mold. Wherein, said extruding means comprises a removable drawer 303 with front 304 and applique 305 having guides 306,307 and wall 308 for receiving the capsule 309 arranged on the sides of the wall of said removable drawer 303, and at least one compressor roller 310 mounted on a carriage 311 movable between said guides 306,307 and along guide rods 312 by means of an actuator mechanism so that roller 310 moves on said capsule 309 against said wall 308 of said box 303 to break the capsule and eject its contents.

In relation to the actuator mechanism, it can comprise a connecting rod 313 which proximal end is connected to a crank 314 through a bearing assembly 315- connecting rod bushing 316 and which distal end is connected to an upper shaft 343 of the carriage 311 through a bushing 317. Actuation of the actuator mechanism is provided by an actuator assembly comprised of a motor- reducer 318 which drives a pair of toothed pulleys 319 between which a toothed belt 320 is mounted, one of said pulleys 319 being connected to an engagement shaft 321 which drives the crank 314.

The engagement shaft 321 is mounted on a fixed shaft holder 322 through a bearing 323, and has a bottom 324 screwed to a left support 325 and a front 326 welded thereto. For its part, said motor- reducer 318 is mounted on an adjustable support 327. The left support 325 is arranged in conjunction with a right support 328 as best illustrated in Figure 42, wherein said left support 325 has a pair of sensor supports 329 on which respective optical sensors 330 are arranged.

Likewise, a drawer bottom 331 is provided which receives said drawer 303, said drawer bottom being fixed and connected to said left 325 and right 327 supports through said carriage guide rods 312 guided by respective means left 332 and right 333 drawer side guides. Both the rods 312 and the lateral guides 332,333 are fixed through respective bolts or screws . On the other hand, said extruding means are associated with preheating means 334 and at least one temperature sensor 335 which senses the temperature of the capsule before extrusion. It is noted that the carriage 311 may have two lateral bushings 336 and pulleys 337 to facilitate the ascent and descent thereof.

In this fourth preferred embodiment, there is a collapsible capsule 309, Figures 47 to 50, which has a base portion 338 supported against the wall 308 and a collapsible dome portion 339 facing said roller 310, said dome 339 having a breakable lower portion 340 that allows ejection of the dough 341 contained in the capsule.

As it is a collapsible capsule, a mold 342 that receives the dough and serves to bake the dough 341 should be used. It is remembered that the capsule 309 is arranged in the removable drawer 303. While, the mold 342 is arranged in the housing 10 of the tray 11 of the support module 7. As the mold 342 is in the tray 11, said arm 42 is vertically movable between at least one position on said support 7 and a second position immediately below said removable drawer 303 to allow dough 341 to fall into said mold 342.

As it has been described in relation to Figures 40 to 42, the apparatus basically comprises one or more support modules 7 each of which has the described receiving housing; one or more baking modules 8 each with an interior enclosure that has a shutter gate; one or more collapsible capsule opening modules with extractor means and one or more conveyance mechanisms 9 that move to carry one or more dough containing molds from the support module to the opening module, from the opening module to the support module, and from the latter to the interior of the enclosure of the baking module or oven.

Said described apparatus corresponds to one of the embodiments of the invention, referred to as roller or cylinder extrusion of the capsule that is illustrated in Figures 47 to 50, its operation will be described in relation to Figures 43 to 45. Thus, Figure 43, in the first instance the capsule 309 is placed in the removable drawer 303 and entered in the apparatus 301, the type of capsule being identified by a color sensor 15, as best illustrated in Figure 44. The user can confirm the cooking from the interface of screen 84 or from a cellphone application.

Next, the arm 42, which takes the mold 342, moves vertically from the support module 7 towards the opening module 302, being below the receiving opening capsule 309, as best illustrated in Figure 45.

In this way, the roller 310 is actuated and compresses the capsule, making it possible that the dough being contained be delivered into the mold 342, as best illustrated in Figure 46. Once the dough is delivered, the arm 42 returns descending towards the support module 7. Once the arm 42 is descended and being in the support module 7, the following steps correspond to the introduction into the baking module 8, product baking, removal from the baking module, cooling in the support module 7 and removal for its consumption, which they are sufficiently described and illustrated, and for such reasons, we will not go into more descriptive details.

It is noted that, the apparatus of the invention has a pre-configured baking program according to each type of capsule. The same as with the steps of taking and introducing the capsule in the baking module, the steps to carry out the removal of the mold or capsule are the same, as best illustrated in Figures 51 and 52. Wherein, the product has to be cooled through the cooling means 14 of the support module 7 to then remove it together with the mold or capsule provided with the baked product for consumption .

For its part, in each of the embodiments described above, in the steps of taking and introduction, prior to taking the mold or capsule, the arm 42 should descend and pass through the lateral cut 13 to take the capsule or mold below them. Likewise, it is emphasized that the molds or capsules can be made of a metallic material resistant to temperature . In relation to the cleaning and maintenance of the apparatus of the invention, it should be noted that in the method for manual removal of the seal cap of the capsule, no cleaning is required. While, in the other embodiments, it is necessary, the steps being described below:

Second embodiment - apparatus with automatic seal removal: The rotating roller is removed with the removable cap of the apparatus. The seal cap that remained rolled on the roller is discarded. It is rinsed with water in case some mixture has been left therein. And the roller is put back in the machine or apparatus.

Third embodiment - apparatus with piston extrusion: The user removes the tray which contains the mold. The mold is washed and placed again with the tray in the machine. The drawer is removed and the capsule used is manually removed. It is rinsed with water in case some mixture has been left therein and it is put back in the machine.

Fourth embodiment - apparatus with roller or cylinder extrusion: The user removes the tray which contains the mold. The mold is washed and placed again with the tray in the machine. The drawer is removed and the capsule used is manually removed. It is rinsed with water in case some mixture has been left therein and it is put back in the machine. In this way, the apparatus for baking pastry products is constituted and constructed, wherein the machine is able to receive at least a package containing a pastry dough and that can be opened either manually or automatical ly .

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. An apparatus for baking pastry products, wherein the apparatus is able to receive at least a package containing a pastry dough and the package can be opened, wherein the apparatus comprises:

at least a support module that defines a receiving housing ;

at least a baking module that defines an interior enclosure having a shutter gate that forms a passage between said support module and said enclosure;

at least one conveyance mechanism movably mounted between said at least a support module and said at least a baking module.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pastry product containing package is a capsule with a seal cap .

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said receiving housing of said at least a support module is a receiving housing of at least one of the following, said capsule and a baking mold, and said at least one conveyance mechanism is a conveyance mechanism for at least one of said capsule and said mold.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said support module has a demoulding tray having an opening for receiving said capsule and/or said mold and a lateral cut for the passage of said conveyance mechanism, further having cooling means and reading sensors for said capsule and/or mold.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least a conveyance mechanism has support means for taking said capsule and/or mold of said support module and for carrying it inside said enclosure of said at least a baking module.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said at least a conveyance mechanism comprises a pivotably mounted and vertically movable arm on a carriage movable along at least one guide rod, and said support means comprises magnetic means present at a distal end of the arm, and said capsule and/or mold is made of a magnetically metallic material adherable to said distal end of the arm.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, which further comprises a capsule opening module for opening said dough containing capsule.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said seal cap of the capsule is removable and said capsule opening module comprises a rotating roller driven by driving means and having a longitudinal slot for receiving a tab of the removable seal cap of said capsule and for removing it from the capsule when rotating around it .

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said capsule opening module comprises capsule extruding means for ejecting the dough contained in the capsule and dropping it into said baking mold.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said extruding means comprise a removable drawer having a block forming a capsule receiving opening and a piston connected to an actuator mechanism, the piston being movably mounted through said capsule receiving opening to crush said capsule and eject its contents.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said extruding means comprise a removable drawer having capsule receiving guides disposed on the sides of a wall of said removable drawer, and at least one compressing roller mounted on a carriage movable between said guides and along guide rods by means of an actuator mechanism so that the roller moves on said capsule against said wall of said drawer to break the capsule and eject its contents.

12. An apparatus according to claim 6, 10 y 11, wherein said pivotally mounted arm is movable vertically between at least one position on said support and a second position immediately below said removable drawer.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said extruding means are associated with preheating means and at least one temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the capsule before extrusion.

14. A package containing a pastry dough for use with the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the package comprises a capsule having a mouth sealed by a seal cap.

15. A package according to claim 14, wherein said seal cap is removable.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said removable seal cap has a protruding tab which is received by a longitudinal slot formed on a rotating roller of a capsule opening module of the apparatus, said rotating roller being driven by driving means.

17. A package according to claim 14, wherein said capsule is collapsible.

18. A package according to claim 10 and 17, wherein said collapsible capsule has a base portion facing said piston and a collapsible dome portion, said base portion having a punch portion extended toward said dome portion to pierce it and eject the dough contained in the capsule.