Patent ID: 7001170
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: A21C

Abstract:
1. A manually-operated dough press for use by an operator comprising: (a) a frame having a base and a housing; (b) a shaft extending downwardly from said housing through an opening and mounted for reciprocating movement through said opening; (c) an upper platen attached to said shaft, said upper platen having a working surface; (d) a pair of lower platens pivotably mounted to said base, each of said lower platens having a working surface opposed to and substantially parallel to said upper platen working surface, each of said lower platens pivotable between an aligned position, wherein said lower platen is in alignment with said upper platen, and a working position wherein said lower platen is not in alignment with said upper platen and said lower platen working surface is accessible to said operator, said pair of lower platens capable of being alternately pivoted into said aligned position, said working surfaces remaining opposed to and substantially parallel to said upper platen working surface when pivoting between said aligned position and said working position; and (e) a drive mechanism for reciprocating said shaft between an open position wherein said upper platen is spaced from said lower platen in said aligned position and a closed position wherein dough on said working surface of said lower platen in said aligned position is compressed between said upper platen and said lower platen in said aligned position, said drive mechanism including a mechanism for latching said upper platen in said closed position.