Process and apparatus for preparing canned baked products
OwnerAnthony P. Uminainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Process and apparatus for preparing baked products in tray-shaped cans, whereby venting means are provided as part of the baking apparatus for transfer of generated steam and gases from the inside of the can. Covers are provided with channels for directing the outflow of steam and gases through a partially clinched lid of a tray-shaped baking can, while the baking is taking place. The baked product is permitted to rise uniformly, with no deformation that would normally occur when the steam and gases act to depress the baked product if they are confined to the baking can. Because a lighter, lower water-active batter is required for the process of the invention, the resulting baked product is light and evenly baked and has a substantially extended shelf-life.
Claims19
A method of preparing baked items in rigid, large lid containers, comprising:
- forming a bakery product batter wherein the water activity of the product remains below 0.95% relative humidity;
- placing an amount of said batter in said large lid container, said amount being less than the volume of said container to allow for expansion of said batter during cooking;
- partially sealing said lid to said container prior to baking;
- heating said batter within said partially sealed container until said batter is baked;
- directing steam and gases generated during baking from the central area of said container to the periphery of said container through passageways formed with said lid and preventing batter rising during said baking operation from obstructing said passageways such that steam and gas evacuation through said partially sealed container continues unobstructed even after said batter initially rises into close proximity with said lid internal to said rigid container;
- cooling said cooked batter to approximately 180.degree. F.;
- and hermetically sealing said container.
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising:
- said can;
- a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can;
- means located on said cover extending from the center area of said cover to the periphery for transferring steam and gases generated along said transferring means during baking to the outer periphery of said cover;
- and
- means for preventing batter contained in said can rising during said baking operation from obstructing said steam and gas transferring means.
A large size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking comprising:
- said can;
- a sheet extending over the area defined by batter placed in said baking can with sufficient clearance from the inside edges of said baking can to allow vertical movement of said sheet within said baking can;
- steam and gas transferring means comprising multiple channels integral with said sheet, located on said sheet such that said channels project in a direction away from the center area of said baking can, the cross-section of said channels oriented downwardly into said baking can and being configured to provide a space between said channel and the interior side of said sheet so that batter rising into contact with said sheet will not enter said space, said space remaining unobstructed;
- and
- said sheet containing openings along said channels to provide communication adjacent said space for venting of steam and gases from said baking can;
- a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said sheet.
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising:
- said can;
- a multi-perforated, corrugated food-approved material of sufficient dimensions such that said corrugations extend substantially across the central area of a batter placed in said baking can, said perforations and said corrugations of said material providing paths for transferring steam and gases evolving from said batter as it is baked from along said corrugations to the periphery of said baking can;
- a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.