DEVICE FOR ROLLING DOUGH

Abstract: Device for flat-rolling a ball (7) of dough to obtain a sheet (8) of dough which is having as well subtantially straight front edge as a substantially straight rear edge, said device comprising a framework (1) for rotatably supporting a pair of rolls (5,6) through which said ball of dough is passed, said rolls (5,6) being supported such that they may move towards and away from each other, a biasing means (13,14) being present to press said rolls (5,6) towards each other, said biasing means being formed by at least one pressurized fluid cylinder (14) to which pressurized fluid is supplied in such a way that in case of varying resistance of the dough an almost equally remaining force is exerted onto said dough.

Description: The invention relates to a device for flat-rolling a ball of dough for obtaining a sheet of dough which then can be rolled up, said device comprising a framework for rotatably supporting at least one pair of rolls for passing said ball of dough between these, said rolls being supported such that they may move towards and away from each other, a biasing means being present to press the rolls towards each other. Such a device is known by US-A-2,669,948. In case of this known device said biasing means is formed by screw springs. By limiting the distance between the rolls to a minimum the ball of dough can be flat-rolled to a sheet having a substantially straight front edge. Because the spring force is continuously exerted on the rolls, the rolls will follow directly each reduction in the amount of dough so that the latest small amount of dough will be rolled to a thin long point. The latter will give a long spiral-shaped slot when the sheet of dough is rolled up, said slot extending over nearly the whole circumference of the sheet which is rolled up, which is clearly visible in the baked finished product and is defacing the bread. This effect is further enhanced by the non-linear force of a screw spring. Now the object of the invention is to remove these disadvantages and to provide a device by which it is possible to roll flat a ball of dough to a sheet which eventually is running out thinner at the front and rear ends, said ends, however, being substantially straight. In particular the latest is of importance. According to the invention this is obtained by that said biasing means is formed by at least one pressurized fluid cylinder comprising a piston, a pressure-regulating member for supplying pressurized fluid to said cylinder such that in case of varying resistance of, the dough a substantially constant force is exerted onto the dough, and a means for retarding the movement of the piston in said cylinder when the greatest part of the ball of dough has passed the rolls. When applying such a pressurized fluid cylinder the rolls may engage each other with a fixed pressure. By this the arriving ball of dough will spread itself and will form a substantially straight front edge in the same way as this is the case when applying draw springs or compression springs. When now, however, the ball of dough is substantially rolled flat and so there is arriving less dough near the rolls, a pressurized fluid cylinder appears to react somewhat retarded such as by the internal friction of the cylinder. So the rolls will not be pressed at once towards each other but this will take place with some delay. This delay may be sufficient to reach that the rear end of the sheet of dough is not rolled flat into a point. So the end edge of the sheet of dough will substantially extend parallel to the front edge of it and to the center lines of the rolls. In case of the device according to the invention in particular use will be made of an automatical pressure-regulating member for supplying pressurized fluid to the cylinder. To make the device suitable for different types of dough the pressure with which the pressurized fluid is supplied to the cylinder may be adjustable. As well as in case of the known device an adjusting means may be present by which it is possible to adjust the rolls at a variable pre-opening and at a variable end opening as well. Although, as already said, in much cases use can be made of the internal friction of the cylinder, also use can be made of an air cylinder having an oversized piston. By this a greater delay of the movement of the piston can be obtained. Also the possibility exists to apply a means for exerting a braking force on the piston rod. Possibly this braking force may be adjustable. The invention is further described by means of an embodiment, shown in the drawing. In the drawing shows: Fig. 1 schematically a side view of a device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 a plan view of a sheet of dough obtained by means of the device according to the invention. The device which is schematically shown in Fig. 1 comprises a framework 1, serving for supporting a conveyor 2, comprising two end rolls 3 and a conveyor belt 4. At least one of the end rolls 3 is driven. Above the conveyor 2 the rolls 5 and 6 are present between which a ball 7 of dough has to be fed to be flat rolled to the sheet 8 of dough. The center line of the roll 5 is positioned at a fixed place in respect of the framework 1 but the shaft 9 of the roll 6 is supported by a bridge 10 which by means of the shaft 11 is pivotably supported by the framework 1. The piston rod 13 of the pressurized fluid cylinder 14 is connected to the bridge 10 in the point 12. The pressurized fluid cylinder 14 is, in a way not shown, connected to the framework 1. By means of the connection 15 pressurized fluid is supplied to the cylinder from an automatical pressure-regulating member 16. This pressurized fluid may have an adjustable pressure. In particular use will be made of pressurized air because this is available in most industries. To maintain the rolls 5 and 6 at a given minimal distance if this is desired, the framework 1 can be provided with an adjustable stop 17 cooperating with the bridge 10. When a ball 7 of dough is rolled flat the roll 6 will be pressed away somewhat against the force of the pressurized fluid cylinder 14, so that the finished sheet 8 of dough will have a straight front edge 18. When the ball 7 of dough is nearly totally rolled flat, the roll 6 will rest in the position in which it was during the rolling of the ball 7 of dough during a sufficient long period by the retarded moving back of the piston rod 13. By this the sheet 8 of dough also will have a substantially straight rear edge 19. The retarded outward movement of the piston rod 13 out of the cylinder 14 can also be obtained by applying a brake shoe 20 near the piston rod 13. This brake shoe can be supported by the part 21 of the framework 1 and the pressure with which the brake shoe 20 is engaging the piston rod 13 can be adjustable in a not further indicated way. It will be obvious that only a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown in the drawing and is described above and that within the scope of the claims many modifications can be applied without leaving the inventive concept.

Claims: Device for flat-rolling a ball of dough (7) for obtaining a sheet (8) of dough which then can be rolled up, said device comprising a framework (1) for rotatably supporting at least one pair of rolls (5,6) for passing said ball of dough (7) between these, said rolls being supported such that they may move towards and away from each other, a biasing means (13,14) being present to press the rolls (5,6) towards each other, characterized in that said biasing means is formed by at least one pressurized fluid cylinder (14) comprising a piston, a pressure-regulating member (16) for supplying pressurized fluid to said cylinder (14) such that in case of varying resistance of the dough a substantially constant force is exerted onto the dough, and a means for retarding the movement of the piston in said cylinder (14) when the greatest part of the bass of dough (7) has passed the rolls (5,6). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure with which the pressurized fluid is supplied to the cylinder (14) is adjustable. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressurized fluid cylinder (14) is an air cylinder and has an oversized piston. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a means (20,21) is present to exert a braking force on the piston rod (13) of the pressurized fluid cylinder (14). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the braking force which can be exerted on the piston rod (13) is adjustable.

Inventors: STEEGHS, MATHIJS, VAN DEN BERG, THEODOOR HENRICUS FRANCISCUS
Applicants: WERNER & PFLEIDERER-HATON B.V.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A21C3
IPC codes: A21C3