Apparatus and method for forming food products by gradual compression
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming a pressed food product from an intermediate of dough by pressing the intermediate of dough between a first platen and a second platen as the first platen and the second platen move in a first direction, the apparatus comprising:
- a supporting frame;
means for moving the first platen in the first direction;
means for moving the second platen in the first direction;
a first guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the first platen as the first platen is moved in the first direction;
a second guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the second platen as the second platen is moved in the first direction, the first guide and the second guide having a converging region such that the first guide converges with the second guide and a parallel region where the first guide is substantially parallel to the second guide;
a continuous conveying belt having perforated regions and a nonstick surface and positioned relative to the first guide such that in the converging and parallel regions, the conveying belt abuts the first platen opposite the first guide;
wherein the first guide positions the first platen and the second guide positions the second platen as the first platen and the second platen move through the converging region in the first direction so that an intermediate of dough positioned between the first platen and the second platen is effectively pressed between the first platen and the second platen as the first platen converges with the second platen; and
wherein the first platen and the second platen move through the parallel region in the first direction such that the first platen and the second platen are separated by a predetermined spacing that substantially corresponds to the desired thickness of the pressed dough product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for processing food products and utilizes a series of guides for moving platens through several operative zones to press a food product intermediate. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming generally flat dough products such as tortillas, taco shells, snacks and the like by gradually pressing a dough intermediate between movable platens that are disposed on concentric, endless belts.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming a pressed food product from an intermediate of dough by pressing the intermediate of dough between a first platen and a second platen as the first platen and the second platen move in a first direction, the apparatus comprising:
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a supporting frame; means for moving the first platen in the first direction; means for moving the second platen in the first direction; a first guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the first platen as the first platen is moved in the first direction; a second guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the second platen as the second platen is moved in the first direction, the first guide and the second guide having a converging region such that the first guide converges with the second guide and a parallel region where the first guide is substantially parallel to the second guide; a continuous conveying belt having perforated regions and a nonstick surface and positioned relative to the first guide such that in the converging and parallel regions, the conveying belt abuts the first platen opposite the first guide; wherein the first guide positions the first platen and the second guide positions the second platen as the first platen and the second platen move through the converging region in the first direction so that an intermediate of dough positioned between the first platen and the second platen is effectively pressed between the first platen and the second platen as the first platen converges with the second platen; and wherein the first platen and the second platen move through the parallel region in the first direction such that the first platen and the second platen are separated by a predetermined spacing that substantially corresponds to the desired thickness of the pressed dough product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for forming a pressed food product from an intermediate of dough by pressing the intermediate of dough between a first platen and a second platen as the first platen and the second platen move in a first direction, the apparatus comprising:
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a supporting frame; means for moving the first platen in the first direction; means for moving the second platen in the first direction; a first guide operatively supported in a substantially stationary position by the frame for guiding the first platen as the first platen is moved in the first direction; a second guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the second platen as the second platen is moved in the first direction, the first guide and the second guide having a converging region such that the first guide converges with the second guide and a parallel region where the first guide is substantially parallel to the second guide; a first continuous conveying belt having perforated regions and a nonstick surface and positioned relative to the first guide such that in the converging and parallel regions, the first conveying belt abuts the first platen opposite the first guide; a second continuous conveying belt having a nonstick surface and positioned relative to the second guide such that in the converging and parallel regions, the second conveying belt abuts the second platen opposite the second guide; wherein the first guide positions the first platen and the second guide positions the second platen as the first platen and the second platen move through the converging region in the first direction so that an intermediate of dough positioned between the first platen and the second platen is effectively pressed between the first platen and the second platen as the first platen converges with the second platen; and wherein the first platen and the second platen move through the parallel region in the first direction such that the first platen and the second platen are separated by a predetermined spacing that substantially corresponds to the desired thickness of the pressed dough product.
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16. An apparatus for forming a pressed food product from an intermediate of dough by pressing the intermediate of dough between a first platen and a second platen as the first platen and the second platen move in a first direction, the apparatus comprising:
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a supporting frame; means for moving the first platen in the first direction; means for moving the second platen in the first direction; a first guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the first platen as the first platen is moved in the first direction, the first guide defining a substantially continuous guide surface extending from a converging guide surface portion to a parallel guide surface portion, wherein the converging guide surface portion has a radius of about 40 feet; a second guide operatively supported by the frame for guiding the second platen as the second platen is moved in the first direction, the first guide and the second guide having a converging region corresponding to the converging surface portion of the first guide such that the first guide converges with the second guide and a parallel region corresponding to the parallel guide surface portion of the first guide surface where the first guide is substantially parallel to the second guide; a continuous conveying belt having a nonstick surface and positioned relative to the first guide such that in the converging and parallel regions, the conveying belt abuts the first platen opposite the first guide; wherein the first guide positions the first platen and the second guide positions the second platen as the first platen and the second platen move through the converging region in the first direction so that an intermediate of dough positioned between the first platen and the second platen is effectively pressed between the first platen and the second platen as the first platen converges with the second platen; and wherein the first platen and the second platen move through the parallel region in the first direction such that the first platen and the second platen are separated by a predetermined spacing that substantially corresponds to the desired thickness of the pressed dough product.
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Specification