Baking rack assembly and method for automatic bread making machine

An automatic bread making machine comprising:

• a housing having a baking chamber coupled to a source of heat;
• control circuitry configured to execute various bread making instructions;
• a baking rack assembly comprising a frame that is selectively placed into and removed from the baking chamber as a unit, the frame having two opposing, laterally spaced sidewalls extending upward from and coupled to a base member a coupling member positioned in a bottom region of the baking chamber and configured to engage the base member;
• and
• a plurality of trays coupled to and supported by the two sidewalls of the frame in vertically spaced relation to each other, each tray providing a substantially horizontal support surface for a quantity of dough that can be proofed or baked on the tray when the frame and trays are positioned within the baking chamber.

An automatic bread making machine comprising:

• a housing having a baking chamber and a container for receiving bread making ingredients, the container being releasably coupled to the baking chamber via a coupling device provided in the baking chamber;
• a motor for mixing the ingredients within the container to form a dough;
• a frame that is selectively placed into and removed from the baking chamber, the frame having two opposing, laterally spaced sidewalls extending upward from and coupled to a base member with a plurality of trays coupled to and supported by the two sidewalls of the frame in vertically spaced relation to each other, each tray providing a substantially horizontal support surface for a quantity of the dough, the base member engaging the coupling device when the frame is positioned in the baking chamber, the frame also having a permanent opening between the two sidewalls with dimensions sufficient to permit one of the trays to be passed through the opening while oriented in a substantially horizontal position;
• and
• a heating element coupled to the baking chamber to bake the dough positioned on the trays when the frame and trays are positioned within the baking chamber.

A method of baking a plurality of portions of dough comprising:

• placing ingredients into an automatic bread making machine;
• activating a motor of the automatic bread making machine to mix the ingredients to form a quantity of dough;
• removing the quantity of dough from the machine;
• dividing the quantity of dough into a plurality of portions;
• placing the plurality of portions of dough onto a plurality of trays coupled to and supported by opposing sidewalls of a frame in vertically spaced relation to each other;
• inserting the frame and trays coupled thereto into a baking chamber of the automatic bread making machine until a base member of the frame engages a coupling device in the baking chamber;
• activating a heating element of the automatic bread making machine to bake the plurality of portions of dough;
• and
• removing the baked dough away from the frame through a permanent opening of the frame, the opening having dimensions sufficient to permit at least one of the trays to be passed through the opening while oriented in a substantially horizontal position.

A baking rack assembly for an automatic bread making machine comprising:

• a frame having two opposing, laterally spaced sidewalls extending upward from and coupled to a base member,
• the frame configured to be positioned within a baking chamber of the automatic bread making machine;
• a coupling member extending downward from a bottom surface of the base member and configured to form an interference fit with a coupling member within the baking chamber;
• and
• the frame configured to receive a plurality of trays coupled thereto in vertically spaced relation to each other, such that the frame and trays can be selectively placed into and removed from the baking chamber as a unit.