# US 4,398,880 A · Proofer tray assembly having stepped release coating retaining surfaces

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- Number: US 4,398,880 A
- Document ID: US4398880A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/346,989
- Filed: 1982-02-08
- Granted: 1983-08-16
- Earliest claimed: 1982-02-08
- Assignees: AMF Incorporated
- Inventors: Samuel O. Seiling
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398880A

## CPC

- A21C 13/02: with endless conveyors {, e.g. for moving the dough pieces progressively through the prover}
- A21C: MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; HANDLING BAKED ARTICLES MADE FROM DOUGH

## Abstract

A proofer tray assembly with a circular cup having a stepped configuration providing a series of substantially horizontal annular surfaces forming ledges for retaining a dough release agent such as sifted flour or sprayed oil.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tray assembly for use with a proofer wherein the tray assembly includes a support mechanism having two spaced rods and a pivotal axis disposed transverse to the direction of movement of a proofer conveyor comprising:
a tray carried by the rods with its planar surface normally disposed in a horizontal position; and
at least one dough holding cup whose side wall extends downwardly from said planar surface between said rods,
the cup sidewall having a stepped configuration with a plurality of ring sections arranged generally parallel to the planar surface of the tray to form ledges for retaining a dough release agent which facilitates the dropping of the dough from the cup when the tray support mechanism is pivoted.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tray assembly of claim 1 wherein said ring sections are sloped slightly toward a central axis of said cup.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tray assembly of claim 1 wherein said ring sections have substantially planar and parallel surfaces, the plane of each of said surfaces intersecting a central axis of said cup substantially at a right angle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A tray assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cup wall is formed integrally with the planar surface of the tray.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A tray assembly according to claim 1 wherein the spaced rods are positioned beneath the planar surface adjacent two opposed edges of the tray, each of said edges having a dependent flange extending downwardly past the corresponding rod.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A tray assembly according to claim 5 wherein the lower end of each flange is provided with an inwardly disposed lip which extends beneath the corresponding rod thereby locking the tray to the support mechanism.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A tray assembly according to claim 6 wherein the flanges are arranged and proportioned so that the lips can be bent outwardly to clear the rods and release the tray without permanent deformation of the tray.