US 6,546,847 B2Granted

Device for producing pizza

AssigneeCarpos, S.A.

InventorsMarco Pilati, Pierluigi Malfatti, Claudio Torghele

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Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for producing pizza by a mechanical, automated system without using baking tins for the dough bases and without using pre-prepared or pre-shaped bases. Dough bases are individually prepared from fresh pre-proportioned dough ingredients by a kneading and extrusion device. The dough base is then passed through a series of processing stations, such as a shaping press, a metering and distribution device for tomato purees or sauces, at least one metering and distribution station for garnishing (topping) ingredients and a baking station. The dough bases pass through the series of stations on a preheated or continuously heated transportation sheet. No pre-produced or pre-cooked, semi-finished products are used in the method. Each dough base is prepared and provided with toppings according to individual orders selected from a list.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A multiple station apparatus for automated preparation of a pizza, the apparatus comprising:

a. a kneading device that prepares and extrudes a fresh dough from component ingredients, wherein the kneading device consists of two worms, includes a first and a second worm, each worm having a helical coil fixedly connected to a rotatable center axle, the coil and axle housed within an exterior casing, the first worm being perpendicularly aligned to the second worm, whereby the first and the second worms realize an effective mixing, homogenizing, interspersing, densifying and extruding of the component ingredients into the fresh dough;
b. a shaping device that shapes the fresh dough to a pre-determined dimension;
c. at least one metering device that apportions a pre-determined amount of at least one topping for distribution on the fresh dough;
d. an oven that bakes the pizza;
and
e. a transport device that transports the fresh dough through the multiple station apparatus.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/832,409Filed 11 Apr 2001 · division
Priority: IT BZ97A004419 Aug 1997
Published: US 2001/0024671 A127 Sep 2001
Granted: 15 Apr 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A21C 11/006
Forming the dough into a substantially disc-like shape with or without an outer rim, e.g. for making pie crusts, cake shells or pizza bases: by…
A21C 9/04
Other apparatus for handling dough or dough pieces: apparatus for spreading granular material on, or sweeping or coating the surfaces of, pieces…
A21C 9/083
Depositing, arranging and conveying apparatus for handling pieces, e.g. sheets of dough: manipulating tins, pans etc., e.g. charging or…
A21C 11/00
Machines or equipment for making or processing doughs: other machines for forming

Family

PCT/EP98/05093Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Aug 1998
Application09/294,702Parent of this division · filed 19 Apr 1999
US 2001/0024671 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Sep 2001
US 6,245,370 B1Parent of this division
Application09/294,702Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,546,847 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.