WO2024121642A1 - Device for poking bread dough on a tray - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is a tool used in bakeries to poke bread dough on a tray It consists of a primary chassis(20) with multiple poking(16) blades attached, each blade having a grooved edge. There is also a secondary chassis(24) that can move along the width of the tray and a third chassis(26) that can move along the length of the tray. The primary chassis can be moved vertically using a first movement mechanism(30), causing the poking blades to create grooves on the dough. The secondary chassis(40) can be moved along the X-axis, ensuring that the poking blades cover the entire width of the tray. Similarly, the third chassis(50) can be moved along the Y-axis, ensuring that the poking blades cover the entire length of the tray. Additionally, there are cleaning blades(18) positioned near each poking blade to remove excess dough from the grooved edge

Description

Description

Title of Invention: Device for poking bread dough on a tray

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to apparatus for perforating raw dough prior to cooking and more particularly, relates to apparatus for poking dough prior to cooking.

Background Art

[0002] There are several tools and techniques used in the bakery industry for poking dough:

[0003] 1 . Dough Docker: A dough docker is a tool that consists of multiple sharp metal pins or spikes attached to a roller. It is rolled over the surface of the dough to create small punctures, helping to release trapped air and prevent excessive rising.

[0004] 2. Lame or Bread Scorer: A lame is a razor blade attached to a handle, used to score or slash the surface of the dough before baking. This not only creates decorative patterns but also allows the bread to expand and rise evenly during baking.

[0005] 3. Fork or Docking Tool: A fork or docking tool is used to poke holes in dough, particularly for pastries like pie crusts or puff pastry. Docking prevents the dough from puffing up excessively during baking, ensuring an even and flat result.

[0006] 4. Fingertip Poking: In some cases, bakers may simply use their fingertips to gently poke the dough to release air bubbles or shape it into specific forms.

[0007] Several patents are in the field of automating dough docking, for example US. Pat. No. 4573388 discloses a pizza docker assembly comprises a shaft driven by a motor, which is equipped with multiple docker wheels. Each docker wheel has spines that extend radially to puncture the dough as it moves underneath. The spines on neighboring docker wheels are positioned in an offset manner to prevent the formation of a continuous line of spines, thereby minimizing the lifting of the dough after it is perforated. Additionally, a comb assembly is attached to i the docker assembly to assist in separating any dough that may be lifted by the spines.

Summary of Invention

[0008] The device described in this document is used for poking bread dough on a bakery tray. It consists of a primary chassis with multiple poking blades attached, each blade being a thin plate with a grooved edge. A secondary chassis is movably mounted on the primary chassis, allowing it to move along the width of the bakery tray. A third chassis is also movably mounted on the secondary chassis, enabling movement along the length of the bakery tray. The device includes three movement mechanisms: one for vertical movement of the primary chassis, causing the poking blades to create grooves on the dough; one for horizontal movement of the secondary chassis, ensuring coverage of the entire width of the tray; and one for horizontal movement of the third chassis, ensuring coverage of the entire length of the tray. Additionally, each poking blade is accompanied by a cleaning blade positioned nearby to remove excess dough from the grooved edge. The device is designed for use in various baking methods and is not limited to just bakeries.

Technical Problem

[0009] At present, skilled people and workers are used for poking and fingering the dough, which may cause many health problems in addition to being timeconsuming and costly. For example, in baking traditional breads, the baker should thin the dough with his fingers so that the resulting bread is not thick and doughy. In short, the disadvantages of the traditional method are:

[0010] Doughy and thick around the bread, high amount of bread spillage;

[0011] possible contamination of the bread due to the direct contact of the baker's hands with the dough; and

[0012] labor fatigue with continuous and repetitive work.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to make an automatic poking device in which bread dough with the same quality and hygiene can be poked faster.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0014] This invention offers several special advantages in addition to the usual benefits of mechanizing manual processes in the bakery field, such as increased compliance with hygiene, faster work speed, and uniformity of the final product. One special advantage is the ability to adjust the speed of preparation doughs for baking. Another advantage is the prevention of tearing in the dough when it is punctured by the dockers.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] Fig.1 shows a perspective view of device.

[0016] Fig.2 illustrates the main mechanisms of the device, numbered as a group of parts and components.

[0017] Fig.3 shows the schematic of poked paste using the poking blade , which creates a groove or depression on the bread dough .

[0018] Fig.4 depicts how the blade is attached to the primary chassis using connecting parts such as profiles .

[0019] Fig.6 displays the primary chassis and its installed components.

[0020] Figs.7 to 8 illustrate the mechanism responsible for the reciprocating movement of the poking blades in the vertical direction.

[0021] Fig.9 shows the linear guide mechanism in the device, consisting of a rod and bushing system.

[0022] Figs.10 and 11 illustrate how interface components connect the set of blades to the secondary chassis, allowing them to move transversely along with it.

[0023] Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the detail of the mechanism of moving in the Y direction.

Description of Embodiments

[0024] In the present document, the word "bakery" refers to all kinds of baking methods in the bakery and confectionery and the production of all kinds of cakes with all kinds of dough, and it is not restricted to the bakery.

[0025] The device (10) performs the poking(nailing) process on the bread dough spread on the bakery tray (14) and by using different parts and components, the poking(nailing) blades in a vertical direction with a reciprocating movement. [0026] The device (10) itself moves along two different movement axes (Y and X) including the length and width of the bakery table by separate movement mechanisms. In the following, the mechanisms and components involved in it are explained. In Fig.2, the main mechanisms are numbered as a group of parts and components.

[0027] The poking(nailing) blade (16) is a plate with a grooved edge, which is responsible for creating a groove or depression (2) on the bread dough (1 ). The schematic of poked paste using blade (16) is shown in Fig.3 . In one embodiment of the invention, the blade (16) is considered as a thin plate with a trapezoidal cross-section, which is attached to the primary chassis(20) (movable in the vertical direction) of the device by a number of connecting parts such as profiles (21 ) have been connected as sown in Fig.4 . The shape of the blade(16) is not limited to this particular shape and blades with different cross-sections can also be used. In addition, the poking blade (16) can be designed as one piece or as shown in the drawings, as several pieces.

[0028] The present invention relates to a device (10) for performing a poking (nailing or fingering) process on bread dough that was spread on a bakery tray (14). The device (10) comprises various parts and components, including poking blades that move in a vertical direction with a reciprocating movement.

[0029] The device (10) itself is capable of moving along two different movement axes (Y and X), which correspond to the length and width of the bakery table, respectively. This movement is achieved through separate movement mechanisms. The following sections provide a detailed explanation of the mechanisms and components involved.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 2, the main mechanisms are identified and numbered as a group of parts and components.

[0031] The poking (nailing) blade (16) is a plate with a grooved edge, responsible for creating a groove or depression (2) on the bread dough (1 ). A schematic representation of the paste after being poked(nailed) using the blade (16) is shown in Fig. 3.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the blade (16) is a thin plate with a trapezoidal cross-section, attached to the primary chassis(20) (movable in the vertical direction) of the device using multiple connecting parts such as profiles (21 ), as illustrated in Fig. 4. However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to this particular shape, and blades with different cross-sections can also be utilized. Additionally, the poking blade (16) can be designed as a single piece or, as depicted in the drawings, as multiple pieces.

[0033] At least one poking(nailing) blade (16) is used in the poking device (10) to make a groove or depressing on the dough. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 6, four blades have been used, and the blades are shown with different signs (16a to 16d). As shown in Fig.5, the device has three different chassis (20, 24 and 26). The blades (16) and the components of the blade movement mechanism are installed on the first chassis (20) by a set of connecting parts (21 ) in the vertical direction (30). The first chassis (20) and its internal components (16 and 30) are located in the secondary chassis (24), which can move along the X-axis.

[0034] The components installed on the primary and secondary chassis are housed within the third chassis (26), which moves along the Y axis. The primary chassis (20) and the installed components are depicted in Figure 6. This chassis comprises several metal profiles (21 ) in its lower part, where the blades are located, and a number of guide rods (22) in its upper part. At least one cleaning blade (18) is positioned near the cutting blade (16). The cleaning blade (18) is a sheet placed at a known angle and connected to the horizontal movement chassis (24). The geometry of the cleaning section of the blade is also determined based on the blade, and the distinguishing characteristic of the cleaner is that it is positioned around the blade in a manner that separates the dough stuck to the blade as a result of the poking process.

[0035] The movement mechanism(30) of the cutting blades in the vertical direction:

[0036] This mechanism(30) is shown in Figs. 7 to 9. The purpose of this mechanism is the reciprocating movement of the poking blades (16) in the vertical direction, which is achieved by moving the first chassis in a certain vertical direction. This mechanism includes a power supply and transmission system, for example, the motor (32) and the gearbox (33) linked to the linear guide system that moves the blades (16) in a specific direction. [0037] The linear guide mechanism (34) in this device is responsible for converting the rotational movement of the motor (32) into the linear movement of the blade in a specific direction. In one embodiment of the invention, a number of intermediate parts are used to transfer the movement from the output shaft of the gearbox (33) to the linear guide mechanism, the details of which are as follows.

[0038] On the head of the output shaft of the gearbox (33), there is a cap or connecting shaft (35) with the feature that one end of it is connected to the gearbox shaft (33) and the other end is connected to the eye bearings with the help of a screw. In this connection, two eye bearings (36) that are screwed into each other are used, and the upper bearing is directly subjected to rotational force and the movement of the lower bearing is limited in a certain direction. The reason for using double-sided eye bearings (36) is that this set can bear radial and axial loads properly.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 9, the linear guide mechanism in this device includes a rod and bushing (bushing rod) (34), which consists of a number of rods (34a) on which bushings or sleeves (34b) are installed. The said sleeves connected to the secondary chassis (24) and the rods were installed on the primary chassis (20) to limit the movement of the chassis in a certain direction (fixed chassis groove

[0040] The movement mechanism(40) for the set of blades across the bakery table (40):

[0041] The primary objective of this mechanism is to facilitate the displacement of the blades (16) along the X-axis, or the width of the bakery table. This is accomplished through the movement of the secondary chassis (24) and its internal components. As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 , the intricate details of this movement involve connecting interface components that link the set of blades to the chassis (24). Consequently, when the secondary chassis (24) moves transversely, the set of blades (16) also moves accordingly. To provide the necessary power for this movement, an engine and gearbox (42 and 43) have been employed. A gear(44), specifically a pinion, is positioned on the output shaft of the gearbox (43) and is connected to a lengthy rack gear (46). Essentially, this rack and pinion assembly (44 and 46) constitutes a linear guide system that restricts the movement of the set of blades (16) in a predetermined direction. Additionally, a number of wheels (48) connected to the chassis enable smooth movement by traversing along a series of rails. Consequently, these wheels (48) facilitate the displacement of the secondary chassis.

[0042] The movement mechanism (50) of the set of blades along the bakery table :

[0043] The purpose of this mechanism is to move the blades (16) along the Y-axis or the length of the bakery table, which is achieved by moving the third chassis (26) and the components installed inside it. As shown in Figs. 12 &13, a separate motor and gearbox are used to move the device along the Y axis. A power transmission system including wheels (54a and 54b) and chain (55) is placed on the output shaft of the gearbox, which transfers the rotational force of the motor placed inside the device cover to the gear installed in the lower part of the bakery table.

[0044] In this set, the gear (54 a) is the driver and the gear (54b) is the moving one. The rotational movement transmitted to the gear (54b) causes the rotation of the pinion (56a) on the long shoulder gear (57a) located in the longitudinal direction of the bakery table (12) and in its lower part. Furthermore, the third chassis (26) has several wheels (58) attached to it, which run on the rails (59) that are aligned along the length of the bakery table. This allows the chassis (26) and its internal components, such as the blades (16), to move in this direction.

[0045] The mechanism of movement of the set of blades along the bakery table is a symmetrical mechanism so that the rotational force of the engine (located on one side of the third chassis (26)) is transferred to the other side of the chassis (26) by a long shaft (60) and the components of the movement mechanism are place symmetrically. In other words, on both sides of the bakery table (12), there is a dual linear guide system including pinion (56) and rack (57a) and wheels and rods (58 and 59) to enable movement.

[0046] A number of bearings i.e. ball bearings (55) have been used in different parts such as the engine output shaft (51 ) and between the gears (54 and 56), the details of its operation and connection are known for the skill person on the art

[0047] Several dough balls are placed on the bakery table (in length and width). The poker mechanisms moves back and forth along the chassis. In addition to moving across the chassis, to poke the bread placed in other rows. Industrial Applicability

[0048] This device is used in bakery and pastry making and processing of all kinds of dough in small bakery workshops and bread and pastry, biscuit and cake factories.

Claims

Claims

[Claim 1] A device for poking bread dough on a bakery tray, comprising: a primary chassis(20) having a plurality of poking blades(16) attached thereto, each poking blade being a thin plate with a grooved edge; a secondary chassis(24) movably mounted on the primary chassis(20) and configured to move along an X-axis corresponding to the width of the bakery tray (14); a third chassis(26) movably mounted on the secondary chassis(24) and configured to move along a Y-axis corresponding to the length of the bakery tray; a first movement mechanism(30) for moving the primary chassis in a vertical direction, thereby causing the poking blades to perform a reciprocating movement and create grooves on the bread dough; a second movement mechanism(40) for moving the secondary chassis along the X-axis, thereby causing the poking blades to cover the entire width of the bakery tray; a third movement mechanism(50) for moving the third chassis along the Y-axis, thereby causing the poking blades to cover the entire length of the bakery tray; and at least one cleaning blade(18) positioned near each poking blade for removing excess dough from the grooved edge.

[Claim 2] The device of claim 1 , wherein the first movement mechanism (30) comprises a motor(32), a transmission system(33), and a linear guide system(34).

[Claim 3] The device of claims 1 and 2, wherein the linear guide system(34) comprises a rod and a sleeve(34b), the rod being connected to the motor and the sleeve being attached to the primary chassis(20).

[Claim 4] The device of claim 1 , wherein the second movement mechanism (40) comprises an engine(42), a gearbox(43), a gear(44), and a rack gear(46).

[Claim 5] The device of claim 4, wherein the gear(44) is connected to the output shaft of the gearbox and engages with the rack gear(46), which is fixed to the bakery tray.

[Claim 6] The device of claim 1 , wherein the third movement mechanism (50) comprises a separate motor, a gearbox, a shaft, and wheels(48).

[Claim 7] The device of claim 1 and 6, wherein the mechanism of movement of the set of blades along the bakery table is a symmetrical mechanism so that the rotational force of the engine is transferred to the other side of the chassis (26) by a shaft (60).