Apparatus for baking bread bowls and method of use thereof

Systems and methods for baking bread bowls are described. A bread bowl baker includes a concavo-convex body including a wide diameter circumference and a narrow diameter circumference; a first end coextensively joined to the wide diameter circumference, the first end i) having an axially outermost extent that defines a first end plane and ii) including a nonplanar cylindrical flange that doubles back from the axially outermost extent to form a raised edge, the raised edge defining a raised edge plane that is noncoplanar with the first end plane; and a second end coextensively joined to the narrow diameter circumference, the second end defining a second end plane. The systems and methods provide advantages in that resulting bread bowls are of uniform shape and are uniformly baked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of baking bread. More 
particularly, the present invention concerns apparatus and methods for 
baking bread bowls. The present invention thus relates to apparatus for 
baking of the type that can be termed bread bowl bakers and to methods of 
use thereof. 
2. Discussion of the Related Art 
Historically, it was known in the prior art to bake bread bowls. The prior 
art bread bowls are approximately semispherical loaves of hollow cavity 
bread. Salads or soup can be served in such bread bowls. The bread bowls 
themselves can also be consumed. 
A conventional bread bowl is typically made by forming raw bread dough on 
top of a simple inverted bowl. The inverted bowl, together with the formed 
raw bread dough, is then placed in an oven for baking. However, bread 
bowls made in this simple manner are often deformed and/or unevenly baked. 
Also, bread bowls made in this manner often rise from the simple inverted 
bowl in a substantially spherically symmetrical manner resulting in a 
finished bread bowl that tips and rolls easily when it is placed on a 
plate or other presentation surface. 
There are several additional problems involved with producing bread bowls. 
A first problem is that the raw bread dough needs to be formed 
symmetrically. A second problem is that when the formed raw bread dough is 
not symmetrical, excess raw bread dough needs to be trimmed away. A third 
problem is that heat needs to be evenly supplied to the bread dough while 
it is being baked. What is required therefore is an apparatus to permit 
the dough to be symmetrically formed, without the need for trimming, and 
then baked with an even supply of heat so as to result in a finished bread 
bowl that does not tip and roll. Heretofore, these requirements have not 
been fully met. 
The below-referenced U.S. patents disclose embodiments that were at least 
in-part satisfactory for the purposes for which they were intended. The 
disclosures of all the below-referenced prior United States patents, and 
applications, in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated by 
reference into the present application for purposes including, but not 
limited to, .indicating the background of the present invention and 
illustrating the state of the art. 
U.S. Pat. No. 366,679 discloses a broiler. U.S. Pat. No. 1,852,966 
discloses a baking pan. U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,507 discloses a baking pan 
assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,859 discloses a pan for baking hamburger 
rolls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,392 discloses a muffin baking pan for producing 
a muffin with an open cavity. U.S. Pat. No. 246,627 discloses a roasting 
pan. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the invention is to provide apparatus for 
baking a bread bowl that produces a uniform bread bowl that is resistant 
to tilting and rolling. Another object of the invention is to provide an 
apparatus that is ruggedized and reliable. Another object of the invention 
is to provide an apparatus that has one or more of the characteristics 
discussed above but which is relatively simple to manufacture and assemble 
using a minimum of equipment. 
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, these objects are 
achieved with a bread bowl baker comprising: a concavo-convex body 
including a wide diameter circumference and a narrow diameter 
circumference; a first end coextensively joined to said wide diameter 
circumference, said first end i) having an axially outermost extent that 
defines a first end plane and ii) including a nonplanar cylindrical flange 
that a) doubles back from the axially outermost extent to form a raised 
edge, said raised edge defining a raised edge plane that is noncoplanar 
with said first end plane and b) includes an outer perimeter that is at 
least partially cylindrical; and a second end coextensively joined to said 
narrow diameter circumference, said second end defining a second end 
plane; a widened end portion coextensively joined to said nonplanar 
cylindrical flange; and a plurality of handles adjacent said widened end 
portion, wherein said plurality of handles include a first integrally 
formed handle and a second integrally formed handle. In a preferred 
embodiment, the second end is substantially planar. 
Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for simultaneously 
baking a plurality of bread bowls. Another object of the invention is to 
reduce the per unit cost of producing a bread bowl. 
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, these objects are 
achieved with an apparatus for making bread bowls comprising: a plurality 
of bread bowl bakers, each of said plurality of bread bowl bakers 
including: a concavo-convex body including a wide diameter circumference 
and a narrow diameter circumference; a first end coextensively joined to 
said wide diameter circumference, said first end i) having an axially 
outermost extent that defines a first end plane and ii) including a 
nonplanar cylindrical flange that doubles back from the axially outermost 
extent to form a raised edge, said raised edge defining a raised edge 
plane that is noncoplanar with said first end plane; and a second end 
coextensively joined to said narrow diameter circumference, said second 
end defining a second end plane; and a frame connected to each of said 
plurality of bread bowl bakers. In a preferred embodiment, each of said 
plurality of bread bowl bakers is manually removable from the frame 
without tools. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of baking bread 
bowls that produces uniform bread bowls. Another object of the invention 
is to provide a method that is predictable and reproducible, thereby 
decreasing variance. Another object of the invention is to provide a 
method that has one or more of the characteristics discussed above but 
which is which is relatively simple to setup and practice using relatively 
low skilled workers. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, these objects are 
achieved by providing a method of baking bread bowls comprising: providing 
a bread bowl baker including: a concavo-convex body defining a center axis 
and including a wide diameter circumference and a narrow diameter 
circumference: a first end coextensively joined to said wide diameter 
circumference, said first end i) having an axially outermost extent that 
defines a first end plane and ii) including a nonplanar cylindrical flange 
that doubles back from the axially outermost extent to form a raised edge, 
said raised edge defining a raised edge plane that is noncoplanar with 
said first end plane; and a second end coextensively joined to said narrow 
diameter circumference, said second end defining a second end plane; 
forming a mass of raw bread dough over said concavo-convex body and 
adjacent said nonplanar cylindrical flange of said bread bowl baker; 
placing the formed mass of raw bread dough and said bread bowl baker in an 
oven; heating the formed mass of raw bread dough and said bread bowl baker 
so as to bake the formed mass of raw bread dough; and removing the 
resulting baked bread dough and said bread bowl baker from the oven, 
wherein a shape of the resulting baked bread dough is a function of a 
shape of said nonplanar cylindrical flange. In a preferred embodiment, the 
method further comprises i) providing a plurality of bread bowl bakers 
connected to a frame and ii) forming a mass of raw bread dough adjacent 
each of said plurality of bread bowl bakers. 
Other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better 
appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the 
following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be 
understood, however, that the following description, while indicating 
preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of 
illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be 
made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the 
spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention and the various features and advantageous details 
thereof are explained more fully with reference to the nonlimiting 
embodiments described in detail in the following description. 
1. System Overview 
The above-mentioned requirements are mutually contradicting and cannot be 
satisfied simultaneously in the case of a bowl with a simple planar 
cylindrical flange located at the outermost extent of the open end of the 
bowl. However, it is rendered possible to simultaneously satisfy the 
above-mentioned requirements to a certain extent by employing a bread bowl 
baker with a nonplanar cylindrical flange having a raised edge in 
consideration of the fact that the raised edge provides a trim block 
during the forming of the raw bread dough and a more uniform distribution 
of heat during baking. 
The raised edge also provides a structure that is more easily gripped when 
placing or lifting the bread bowl baker because it is spaced apart from 
the supporting structure of the oven, or other supporting surface. This 
raised edge can be further provided with optional handles so as to further 
improve the lifting and placing attributes of the bread bowl baker. 
Moreover, a plurality of these bread bowl bakers can be connected to a 
frame. Forming the raw bread dough and cleaning the bread bowl bakers is 
facilitated by each of the plurality of bread bowl bakers being manually 
detachable from the frame without tools. 
2. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 
Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that the bread bowl baker has a 
substantially concavo-convex shape. The bread bowl baker is typically 
substantially cylindrically symmetrical. Pursuant to the present 
invention, the bread bowl baker defines a cylindrical axis. 
The bread bowl baker has a first end that is open. There is a nonplanar 
cylindrical flange at this first end. The axially outermost extent of the 
first end defines a first plane. The nonplanar cylindrical flange passes 
through and doubles back from the axially outermost extent of the first 
end to form a raised edge. The raised edge defines a raised edge plane 
that is noncoplanar with the first plane. 
As noted above, the nonplanar cylindrical flange and the raised edge 
provide several advantages. The nonplanar cylindrical flange and the 
raised edge facilitate the formation of a more uniform bread bowl by 
providing a symmetry guide during the process of forming raw bread dough 
around the bread bowl baker. The nonplanar cylindrical flange and the 
raised edge also permit a more uniform bread bowl to be produced by 
providing a trim blocking surface obviating the need to remove excess 
dough after the process of forming is completed. Thus, an advantage of the 
flared surface and raised edge is to be able to mold a uniform product and 
not have to remove excess dough. 
The nonplanar cylindrical flange and raised edge facilitate the baking of a 
bread bowl with improved consistency, enhance appearance and better taste 
by encouraging gases and heat from the oven to circulate more freely 
around the open first end of the bread bowl baker both during, and after, 
the process of baking. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that 
the presence of the nonplanar cylindrical flange and the raised edge 
encourage gases and heat from the oven to circulate more freely due to the 
convective-conductive-reflective thermodynamic surface/edge that is 
symmetrically located around the dough mass during the entire time that 
the bread bowl is baking, and also after the bread bowl is removed from 
the oven. These features unexpectedly combine to permit the production of 
a baked bread bowl that has the advantages of higher uniformity, improved 
consistency, enhanced appearance and better taste. 
The bread bowl baker is optionally provided with handles so as to 
facilitate loading and unloading the bread bowl baker from the oven. The 
handles can be rectilinear and/or circular and/or cardioid, as well as 
angled. The handles are advantageously attached along the raised rim 
because this keeps the handles spaced away from the bottom of the oven, or 
oven rack. This mode of attachment reduces heat transfer from the bottom 
of the oven, or oven rack, into the handles and makes it easier to grasp 
the handles. These aspects are especially important when removing a hot 
bread bowl baker from a hot oven. When the handles are attached to the 
bread bowl baker, they should be located so as to permit the bread bowl 
baker to be raised and moved in a balanced, open end down condition. 
The bread bowl baker is optionally coated on the inside and/or outside with 
one or more nonstick coatings, such as, for example, TEFLON (i.e., 
fluorocarbon polymers), (e.g., tetrafluroethylene and fluorinated 
ethylenepropylene). In an advantageous embodiment, the outer surface of 
the bread bowl baker is coated with a first nonstick coating that is 
optimized for release of the baked dough from the bread bowl baker. 
Further, in this same embodiment, the inner surface of the bread bowl 
baker, which includes the side of the nonplanar cylindrical flange that 
faces downward during baking, is coated with a second nonstick coating 
that is optimized for durability. 
Referring to FIG. 1a, the bread bowl baker has a concavo-convex body 10. 
The concavo-convex body has a first end 20. The first end 20 is open. The 
first end 20 has a nonplanar cylindrical flange 30. The concavo-convex 
body also has a second end 40. The second end 40 is closed. This second 
end can be a wide, flat surface and can define a second plane. 
Referring now to FIG. 1b, the nonplanar cylindrical flange 30 can include a 
widened portion 50. Further, a widened handle portion 60 can be connected 
to the widened portion 50. The widened handle portion 60 can be integrally 
formed. It will be appreciated that except for widened handle portion 60, 
this embodiment of the bread bowl baker is substantially cylindrically 
symmetrical. 
Referring now to FIG. 1c, the cross-sectional shape of the nonplanar 
cylindrical flange 30 can be better appreciated. The nonplanar cylindrical 
flange 30 passes through first end 20. The nonplanar cylindrical flange 
continues away from the center axis of the bread bowl baker toward widened 
portion 50. The nonplanar cylindrical doubles back from the axially 
outermost extent of the first end to form a raised edge to which the 
widened portion 50 is attached. The depicted structure thus forms a 
sinusoidal compound curve. In this embodiment, widened portion 50 and 
widened handle portion 60 are substantially planar and parallel to second 
end 40. Second end 40 is preferably flat so that the resulting bread bowl 
will not tilt or roll easily. 
Of course, the overall shape of the bread bowl baker can be changed. For 
example, the height of the bread bowl baker shown in the sketches can be 
reduced without changing the width, or the radius of curvature, thereby 
yielding a shorter, wider bread bowl. The wider base, compared to 
conventional household bowls, permits the finished bread bowl product to 
rest flat on a table or plate. With ordinary bowls, bread dough rises in 
the shape of a sphere and does not rest evenly when placed on a table or 
plate. Without being bound by theme, it is believed that when it is known 
that a bread bowl is to be used as a container for a specific type of food 
that is to be subsequently processed, (e.g., to hold soup that is to be 
heated), careful interrelated choice among the infinite combinations of 
height, width and radius of curvature can yield a final dish, (e.g., soup 
in a bread bowl), that has higher uniformity, improved consistency, 
enhanced appearance and better taste. 
Referring now to FIG. 2a, a taller embodiment of the bread bowl baker 
according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, 
rectilinear handles 70 are connected to widened portion 50. In this taller 
embodiment, the height-to-weight ratio is higher than in the embodiment 
shown in FIGS. 1a-1c. Referring again to FIG. 2a, it will be appreciated 
that except for rectilinear handles 70, this embodiment of the bread bowl 
baker is also substantially cylindrically symmetric. 
The height aspect ratio of the bread bowl baker can be tall, (i.e., height 
to width ratio of greater than 1.25), medium, (i.e., height to width ratio 
of from 0.75 to 1.25) or short, (i.e, height to width ratio of less than 
0.75). When the height aspect ratio of the bread bowl baker is excessively 
low, the capacity of the resultant bread bowl may be too low. On the other 
hand, when the height of the bread bowl baker is excessively high, the 
stability of the resultant bread bowl may be too low. 
Referring to FIG. 2b, the attachment of rectilinear handles 70 to widened 
portion 50 will be better appreciated. In a preferred embodiment, both the 
rectilinear handles and the concavo-convex body are made of aluminum and 
are welded together. However, rectilinear handles 70 can be integrally 
formed from any suitable material. 
Referring now to FIG. 2c, it will be appreciated that rectilinear handles 
70 are angled up and away from the center line of the bread bowl baker. 
This provides a larger gap between the supporting surface upon which the 
bread bowl baker sits and the bottom of the rectilinear handles 70 so as 
to permit a pair of human hands, or a tool such as a wooden handle, to 
reach under and grasp rectilinear handle 70. In this embodiment, the 
rectilinear handles 70 define an angle of approximately 10.degree. with 
regard to the plane defined by the first end 20 of the bread bowl baker. 
The angular relationship of the handles can be varied. For example, the 
handles can define an angle of from approximately -10.degree. to 
approximately 90.degree. with regard to the plane defined by the first 
end, preferably from approximately 10.degree. to approximately 60.degree., 
most preferably 30.degree.. 
Referring now to FIG. 3a, a shorter embodiment of the bread bowl baker is 
shown. In this embodiment, circular handles 80 are connected to widened 
portion 50. 
Referring to FIG. 3b, the circular handles 80 are connected to widened 
portion 50 with rivets that are not shown. However, the handles can be 
integrally formed. 
Referring to FIG. 3c, it will be appreciated that circular handles 80 are 
angled up and away from the center axis of the bread bowl baker. In this 
embodiment, the circular handles 80 define an angle of approximately 
30.degree. with regard to the plane defined by the first end 20 of the 
bread bowl baker. 
A careful comparison of FIGS. 1c, 2c and 3c will reveal a variation in the 
radius of curvature ratio of the concavo-convex wall of the bread bowl 
bakers. The radius of curvature ratio of the concavo-convex wall of the 
bread bowl baker (i.e., radius of curvature to largest outside diameter) 
can be that of gradual, (i.e., radius of curvature ratio of greater than 
1.0), medium, (i.e., radius of curvature ratio of from 0.2 to 1.0), or 
abrupt, (i.e., radius of curvature ratio of less than 0.2). Depending on 
the diameters of the first and second ends, if the curvature ratio of the 
bread bowl baker is excessively high, the resultant bread bowls may tend 
to tip over. Similarly, if the curvature ratio is excessively low, the 
resultant bread bowl may tend to fracture and leak along the joint between 
the wall and the base because such a joint will be approaching a right 
angle. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4a-4d, alternative embodiments for the nonplanar 
cylindrical flange 30 of the present invention are shown. In each of these 
embodiments, the nonplanar cylindrical flange passes through and doubles 
back from second end 20 (and away from the bottom center of the bread bowl 
baker) to form a raised edge that defines a raised edge plane. The 
nonplanar cylindrical flange 30 can be flat, rounded, angular, stepped 
rectilinear and/or compound sinusoidal. In FIG. 4a, the nonplanar 
cylindrical flange passes through the outermost axial extent of the first 
end, moves up and away sinusoidally and terminates in a truncated widened 
portion. In FIG. 4b, the nonplanar cylindrical flange again passes through 
the outermost axial extent, moves up and away sinusoidally, but terminates 
in a widened handle portion. The widened handle portion is horizontal with 
regard to the plane defined by the first end. In FIG. 4c, the nonplanar 
cylindrical flange passes through the outermost axial extent, moves 
perpendicularly from the center line of the bread bowl baker and then 
deflects sharply upward in a direction parallel to the center line of the 
bread bowl baker whereupon it again deflects acutely, and nonorthogonally, 
away from the center line. In FIG. 4d, the nonplanar cylindrical flange 
moves along a gradual radius up and away from the bottom center line of 
the bread bowl baker and then moves obtusely, and nonorthogonally away 
from the center line of the bread bowl baker. 
Referring to FIGS. 5a-5d, various handle embodiments for attachment to the 
bread bowl baker according to the present invention can be seen. In FIG. 
5a, a heart-shaped, (i.e., cardioid) handle is shown. In FIG. 5b, a 
circular handle is shown. In FIG. 5c, a rectilinear handle is shown. In 
FIG. 5d, a more complex rectilinear handle is shown which approximates the 
silhouette of a slice of a loaf of bread. 
Conveniently, the bread bowl bakers of the present invention can be made of 
any oven suitable material. For the manufacturing operation, it is 
moreover an advantage to employ an aluminum alloy. 
Conveniently, the fabrication of the present invention can be carried out 
by using any forming method. For the manufacturing operation, it is 
moreover an advantage to employ a spun aluminum method. 
While not being limited to any particular optimization methodology, 
preferred embodiments of the bread bowl baker can be identified one at a 
time by testing for uniformity of the baked product. The test for 
uniformity can be carried out without undue experimentation by the use of 
the simple and conventional color tests. Among the other ways in which to 
seek embodiments having the attribute of uniformity, guidance toward the 
next preferred embodiment can be based on the presence of consistent 
texture. 
A plurality of the above-discussed bread bowl bakers can be joined together 
into a single assembly with a frame. Such an apparatus permits the dough 
for several bread bowls to be simultaneously formed and baked, thereby 
increasing efficiency. 
Such a framework can be an encircling rectilinear frame work and is 
advantageously constructed of welded aluminum or welded alloy. During 
baking in the oven, the encircling rectilinear framework can be above the 
base of the oven because the framework is preferably connected to the 
raised rims of the bread bowl bakers. Therefore, the framework also 
provides a convective-conductive-reflective thermodynamic surface within 
the oven while the bread bowl(s) are baking and after removal from the 
oven. Plural bread bowl bakers are advantageously not joined to the same 
frame member at the same location so as to provide thermal stability and 
thermal isolation between the bread bowl bakers. 
Referring to FIG. 6, an assembly of two bread bowl bakers according to the 
present invention can be seen. The assembly includes an encircling 
framework 110. The encircling framework includes an outer encircling band 
120. Each of the bread bowl bakers is connected to a separating beam 130 
that are in turn connected to outer encircling band 120 at each of their 
ends. 
Referring to FIG. 7, an assembly of four bread bowl bakers according to the 
present invention can be seen. This assembly includes an encircling 
framework 111 that is attached to each of the bread bowl bakers at two 
points along their widened portion. The assembly also includes two 
separating beams 131. Separating beams 131 are braced with a spacer beam 
140. 
As with a single bread bowl baker, the framework of a plurality of bread 
bowl bakers can include one or more handles which facilitate loading and 
unloading the assembly from the oven. The attachment location of the 
handle(s) to the flamework should permit the assembly to be raised and 
moved in a balanced condition with the open end of the bread bowls facing 
down so that the dough remains in place. 
FIGS. 6 and 7 show an encircling framework as part of the structure for 
holding a plurality of bread bowls together, but the structure for holding 
the plurality of bread bowls together can be any other structure capable 
of performing the function of holding the bread bowls together, including, 
by way of example a perpendicular wire framework, a conveyor belt, or even 
a perforated tube. 
In a preferred embodiment, the framework is a supporting wire frame work 
and is advantageously constructed of welded stainless steel. Such a 
supporting wire framework can hold the outermost axial extent of the first 
end of the bread bowl bakers up and away from the base of the oven, or 
other surface. During baking in the oven, some portions of such a 
supporting wire framework are adjacent the base of the oven. However, 
other portions of the supporting wire flamework are not and they also 
provide convective-conductive-reflective thermodynamic surfaces within the 
oven while the bread bowl(s) are baking and after removal from the oven. 
Again, the bread bowl bakers held by such a supporting wire flamework are 
advantageously not directly adjacent to one another so as to provide 
thermal stability and thermal isolation between the bread bowl bakers. 
A significant advantage of such a supporting flamework is that the 
individual bread bowl bakers can be removed from the supporting flamework 
without tools. This feature permits the assembly to be reconfigured by 
interchanging different size and/or shape bread bowl bakers. This feature 
also makes forming the raw bread dough more convenient. This feature also 
makes cleaning the bread bowls and the supporting flamework more 
efficient. 
Referring to FIG. 8, another assembly of two bread bowl bakers according to 
the present invention can be seen. This assembly includes a supporting 
wire flamework 150. Supporting wire flamework 150 includes handle 160. 
Supporting wire flamework 150 includes a center piece 170. Support pieces 
180 are connected to center piece 170 at right angles. As noted above, the 
bread bowl bakers can be readily removed from supporting wire flamework 
150 so as to facilitate both forming of the dough and cleaning of the 
rack. 
Referring to FIG. 9, another assembly of four bread bowl bakers according 
to the present invention is shown. This embodiment includes four perimeter 
pieces 190 that are connected to one another at right angles. This 
assembly also includes two handle pieces 200 that are attached at their 
ends to perimeter pieces 190. 
Referring to FIG. 10a, it will be appreciated that handle pieces 200 are 
substantially semicylindrical. During use, the bread bowl bakers sit atop 
perimeter pieces 190, thereby being spaced apart from the base of the oven 
or other surface. The bread bowl bakers are separated from one another by 
handle pieces 200. 
Referring now to FIG. 10b, the simple assembly of perimeter pieces 190 and 
handle pieces 200 will be appreciated. Although in this embodiment 
perimeter pieces 190 and handle pieces 200 are formed from circular 
cross-section wire, these structures can be fabricated from any convenient 
stock material. 
During use, an individual bread bowl baker is positioned with the open end 
down on top of a supporting surface, such as a table. Raw bread dough is 
then formed over the closed end, typically, although not necessarily, by 
hand. The bread bowl baker, together with the raw bread dough, is then 
placed into an oven for baking. Finally, the bread bowl baker, together 
with the baked bread dough, is removed from the oven for cooling. 
All the disclosed embodiments are useful in conjunction with forming and 
baking bread dough for the purpose of producing a bread bowl, or the like. 
There are virtually innumerable uses for the present invention, all of 
which need not be detailed here. All the disclosed embodiments can be 
practiced without undue experimentation. 
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the 
present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is 
not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, 
modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention 
may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying 
inventive concept. 
For example, the bread bowl baker could be enhanced by providing additional 
flanges. Similarly, although aluminum alloy and/or stainless steel is 
preferred for the concavo-convex body, any suitable structural material 
could be used in its place, such as, for example, mild steel, copper, 
brass, cast iron or even glass or ceramic, such as stoneware. In addition, 
although aluminum alloy and/or stainless is preferred for the frame, the 
individual framework components need not be fabricated from the disclosed 
materials, but could be fabricated from virtually any suitable materials. 
Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed 
shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided 
in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration, 
which support raw bread dough in an oven so as to provide a baked bread 
bowl. Further, although the bread bowls and bread bowl assemblies are 
described herein as physically separate modules, it will be manifest that 
the bowls and assemblies may be integrated into the apparatus with which 
it is associated, such as, for example, a gas oven. Furthermore, all the 
disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or 
substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed 
embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive. 
It is intended that the appended claims cover all such additions, 
modifications and rearrangements. Expedient embodiments of the present 
invention are differentiated by the appended subclaims.