PROCESS AND CORRESPONDING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION BY CONTINUOUS ROLLING OF A MASS OF DOUGH FOR BAKERY PRODUCTS AND BUNS AND ROLLS

Abstract: The process comprises a phase in which a multiplicity of shapeless lumps of dough (1) are arranged on a moving surface (5), whereby these lumps (1) are conveyed by a system of linear movement to a second conveying unit (6), on which during a second phase, a continuous strip of dough of constant thickness (2) is obtained and during which the strip of dough is subjected intermittently and alternatively to translational and striking movements which cause a progressive compression until a continuous strip of dough (2) of reduced thickness is obtained. The machine consists of two conveyor belts (4, 6) one of them having two rotable vertical blades (8). The other belt (4) is inclined in such a way that it is nearer to the one (6) in the outlet zone and is provided with an alternating movement approaching the lower belt (6) through a connecting rod and eccentric mechanism (11, 12) which compresses the strip of dough arranged on the lower conveyor belt (6) progressively until a strip of dough of suitable thickness is obtained.

Description: The present invention relates to a process and corresponding machine for the production of a mass of dough for bakery products and buns and rolls by continuous rolling. It is known that in methods used for making bakery products and buns and rolls the mass of dough must be rolled before the various shaping phases required for obtaining the various products are carried out. This rolling process consists basically of obtaining from a mass of shapeless dough a sheet or strip of this material of reduced thickness. Traditionally this rolling process has been carried out by forcing the mass of dough through the space determined by two surfaces, both of which may be cylindrical, on of them cylindrical and the other flat etc. One of the types of machine most commonly used has been that commonly known as a rolling machine, i.e. a machine in which rolling is carried out by making the mass of shapeless material pass through the space defined by two cylindrical rollers arranged with their axes in a parallel position and relatively close to each other to obtain a sheet of thickness which is exactly the same as the distance apart of these rolls. This rolling process can be carried out in different ways and using different types of machine, whereby the rollers may have surfaces which are smooth, rough formed with rods etc. In all these known cases, however, the rolling of the mass of dough is effected by making it pass through two surfaces with a small clearance between them and in which it is squeezed resulting in changes in its qualities and characteristics; this makes it necessary in many cases to give a further treatment to the sheet of dough obtained so that it can be handled subsequently. Both EP-A-56 499 and EP-A-140 458 disclose a machine for the production of a mass of dough, where a continuous strip of dough is subjected to a rolling process. This rolling process is intermittently interrupted for short time intervals so that the dough is allowed to relax and excessive stretching is substantially reduced. The process and machine which are the subject of this patent relate to a system for obtaining a continuous sheet of dough which has the special advantage that the characteristics and qualities of the mass of dough remain unchanged during the process to which it is subjected so that it is not necessary subsequently to regenerate the sheet of dough obtained so that it recovers its original characteristics and it is possible to bake it directly after cutting or shaping. Accordingly, the present process is characterized in that it comprises an initial phase in which a multiplicity of shapeless lumps of dough are arranged on a moving surface, whereby these lumps are conveyed by a system of linear movement to a second conveying unit, on which during a second phase, a continuous strip of dough of constant thickness is obtained and during which the strip of dough is subject intermittently and alternatively to translational and striking movements which cause a progressive compression until a continuous strip of dough of reduced thickness is obtained. The corresponding machine is characterized in that it consists of a conveyor belt designed to receive the lumps of shapeless dough, on which are arranged two vertical blades which rotate about a vertical axis situated at their front end, another conveyor belt being located as a continuation of this, at the entry and in the upper zone of which is located a roller which controls the thickness of the continuous strip of dough obtained from the lumps of dough coming from the first conveyor belt with another belt which is also mobile being located after this over the second conveyor belt; this other belt is inclined in such a way that it is nearer to the one in the outlet zone and is provided with means for an alternating movement approaching the lower belt in form of a connecting rod and eccentric mechanism which compresses the strip of dough arranged on the lower conveyor belt progressively until a strip of dough of suitable thickness is obtained, the movement of the lower conveyor belt being interrupted when the alternating movement is performed. By regulating the striking action in combination with the speed and frequency of the movements to which the mass of dough is subjected, it is possible to obtain a regulation of the manufacturing phases which is suitable for all requirements in relation to the type of dough used, the thickness of the sheet to be obtained etc. As the qualities of the mass of dough remain unchanged during the process it is possible for example to obtain a sheet of dough for making products of the puff pastry type, for which it is necessary that the dough contain a certain quantity of fat. In order to obtain a better understanding of the general characteristics involved in this process and the corresponding machine for the production by continuous rolling of masses of dough for bakery products and buns and rolls covered by this patent, some descriptive drawings are attached to this description in which a diagram of the process is shown together with an embodiment of a machine which is suitable for carrying out this process according to the principles of the claims, a special feature of these illustrations being that they must be considered in a broad and general sense without their being considered restrictive in any way as they are of a purely informative nature. The drawings show the following: Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views in which the process of forming the mass of dough into the corresponding strip is shown. Figure 3 shows an elevational view of the machine designed to carry out the process covered by this patent, whilst Figure 4 shows a plan view of it. Figures 5 and 6 are section through the planes marked V-V and VI-VI in Figure 3 showing the configuration which the mass of dough takes on in the loading phases before being treated by the process covered by this patent and before the striking phase is initiated to which it is subjected to obtain the corresponding sheet respectively. Numbers have been given in the figures related to the descriptions given below to make it easier to locate the various phases of the process and parts of the machine used covered by this patent. Thus it will be seen from the illustrations that the process covered by this patent consists of the following phases: First of all from a number of lumps -1- of a mass of dough of irregular shape which are deposited on a moving surface a continuous strip -2- of constant thickness is obtained which is deposited on another moving surface. This continuous strip of continuous dough is then straightway subjected to an intermittent horizontal movement as well as to a beating action in the periods when the mass is not moving. This beating action is carried out in such a way that the component which compresses the mass of dough is constantly lowered further as the mass moves forward so that its thickness is constantly reduced progressively. Figure 2 shows in diagrammatic form the successive compression phases to which an infinitesimal portion of dough mass is subjected during each period and from which it will be seen that the mass of dough is obtained progressively. As the compression to which the dough is subjected is not abrupt, its qualities and characteristics remain unchanged. The volume of the mass of dough which is compressed expands laterally with the result that as the thickness of the strip is reduced, its width increases. In Figures 3 to 6 the machine covered by this invention consists of a conveyor belt -5- which conveys the masses of shapeless dough -1- to a second conveyor belt -6- located below the first one and in the entry zone of which a revolving roller -7- is located which regulates the passage of the mass towards the conveyor belt -6-. Two vertical blades -8- are arranged above the conveyor belt -5-; they are fitted with some rotary shafts -9- which are also vertical and by means of which a lateral displacement or sweeping movement can be effected over the conveyor belt -5- which helps to convey the masses of dough -1- which are located on this belt as well as to clean the surface of the conveyor belt. Another conveyor belt -4- is located in an inclined position above the conveyor belt -6- and after the roller -7- in such a way that its nearest zone to the belt -6- is the nearest to the outlet zone, which is provided with a horizontal rotary shaft -10- and which in combination with the connecting rod -11- and the eccentric -12- gives the conveyor belt an alternating movement as shown by arrows -13- and -14- which produces a beating effect on the mass of dough -2- arranged over the conveyor belt -6-, which compresses the strip of dough -2-. The process carried out by the machine consists of the conveyor belt -5- moving the masses of dough -1- to the outlet zone, where the roller -7- regulates the quantity of dough supplied to the belt -6- , where applicable a detection system being provided which causes the movement of the conveyor belt -5- to be interrupted , when an accumulation of dough occurs at the entry of the belt -6-. The conveyor belt -6- moves the strip of dough -2- linearly, interrupting the movement when the conveyor belt -4- strikes the mass of dough arranged over the belt -6- ; at the same time the translational movement of the conveyor belt -4- also ceases.

Claims: Process for the production by continuous rolling of a mass of dough for bakery products and buns and rolls, characterised in that the process for obtaining this product comprises an initial phase in which a multiplicity of shapeless lumps (1) of dough are arranged on a moving surface (5), whereby these lumps (1) are conveyed by a system of linear movement to a second conveying unit (6), on which during a second phase, a continuous strip (2) of dough of constant thickness is obtained and during which the strip (2) of dough is subjected intermittently and alternatively to translational and striking movements which cause a progressive compression until a continuous strip (2) of dough of reduced thickness is obtained. Machine for the production by continuous rolling of a mass of dough for bakery products and buns and rolls according to the process of claim 1, characterised in that the machine consists of a conveyor belt (5) designed to receive the lumps (1) of shapeless dough, on which are arranged two vertical blades (8) which rotate about a vertical axis situated at their front end, another conveyor belt (6) being located as a continuation of this, at the entry and in the upper zone of which is located a roller (7) which controls the thickness of the continuous strip (2) of dough obtained from the lumps (1) of dough coming from the first conveyor belt (5) with another belt (4) which is also mobile being located after this over the second conveyor belt (6); this other belt (4) is inclined in such a way that it is nearer to the one in the outlet zone and is provided with means for an alternating movement approaching the lower belt (6) in form of a connecting rod (11) and eccentric mechanism (12) which compresses the strip (2) of dough arranged on the lower conveyor belt (6) progressively until a strip (2) of dough of suitable thickness is obtained, the movement of the lower conveyor belt (6) being interrupted when the alternating movement is performed.

Inventors: MA VINAS I NOGUEROLES, JOSE, Ma Vinas i Nogueroles, José
Applicants: CONSTRUCCIONES MECANICAS  AGMI, S.A., SERMONT, S.A.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A21C3
IPC codes: A21C3, A21D8, A21C1