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US 12,616,211 B1Granted
Automatic rotary empanada machine
OwnerEmma E. Mesa-Ariasinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to an automatic rotary machine for the automate production of empanadas, comprising up to six mold holding stations within a rotating circular deck plate on which the empanadas are filled from an automated filling dispenser and folded through electric and pneumatic motors and actuators. The invention includes a mold for folding and cutting the empanada dough.
Claims6
An automatic rotary empanada manufacturing system comprising:
- an programmable logic control (PLC) units sensing and activating a number of rotary motion, filling and empanada mold folding components;
- a circular rotary deck turntable having six openings, each said opening having a replaceable folding empanada mold within said opening, each said mold comprised of:
- two complementary shaped halves hinged and closed by a plunger, said plunger controlled by said PLC, wherein one said shaped hinge half-moon nests into the other while leaving the back end open at the moment of closing during an intermediate partial-closing stage prior to full closure;
- an automatic empanada filling dosing machine, with a dispenser opening placed over the center of one said opening path of motion, said dispenser controlled by said PLC;
- a central holder for empanada blanks;
- and
- a finished empanada belt;
- wherein the PLC controls the plunger to execute a two-stage closing sequence comprising:
- (i) a first stage in which the complementary shaped halves partially close while maintaining said back end open to permit gravitational displacement of filling away from sealing edges of the mold;
- and
- (ii) a second stage in which the complementary shaped halves fully close to seal and trim the empanada.
8 more elements
An automatic rotary empanada manufacturing method comprising:
- an programmable logic control (PLC) units sensing and activating a number of rotary motion, filling and empanada mold folding components;
- a circular rotary deck turntable having six openings, each said opening having a replaceable folding empanada mold within said opening, each said mold comprised of:
- two complementary shaped halves hinged and closed by a plunger, said plunger controlled by said PLC, wherein one said shaped hinge half-moon nests into the other while leaving the back end open at the moment of closing during an intermediate partial-closing stage prior to full closure;
- an automatic empanada filling dosing machine, with a dispenser opening placed over the center of one said opening path of motion, said dispenser controlled by said PLC;
- a central holder for empanada blanks;
- and
- a finished empanada belt;
- wherein the method further comprises:
- partially closing the complementary shaped halves while maintaining said back end open to permit gravitational displacement of filling away from sealing edges of the mold;
- and
- thereafter fully closing the complementary shaped halves to seal and trim the empanada.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.