Patent ID: 6629493
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A21C,A21D

Abstract:
Apparatus for steam hydration processing of pan carried pressed pizza pieces through a steam hydration step after completion of final proofing and prior to parbaking, said steaming apparatus having an endless conveyor belt, a steam tunnel through which an upper run of said conveyor travels via an input end and output end of said tunnel, said tunnel being always open at both said input and output ends, exhaust hoods and associated ducting being provided for each of said open input and output ends of said tunnel, there being no tunnel venting therebetween, said conveyor being adapted to transport pan-carried, pressed and proofed pizza crust shells for a predetermined time period in said tunnel, steaming means for creating a steam bath in said tunnel to thereby render said apparatus operable to perform pizza steam hydration and also simultaneously start a pizza crust parbaking process, said conveyor after exiting said tunnel being adapted to transfer the steamed pizza shells directly and immediately from the output end of said steamer tunnel automatically onto the input end of an endless chain belt of an oven conveyor.