A MACHINE FOR FLATTENING PASTRY OR DOUGH

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine which is appropriate to flatten pastry or dough and to obtain disks of different diameter size or thickness with or without peripheral edge. The machine is used for preparing typical dishes, such as: pizza pies, tarts, cakes, piadine romagnole, tigelle, montanare, etc. The characteristic feature of the machine is that of having realized a device which, by imitating manual work, flattens the pastry without squeezing it, starting from the center ("pastry ball") towards the periphery, without modifying the characteristic softness, uniformity and rising capacity which are typical of manually manipulated pastry or dough.

Description: Description A machine for flattening pastry or dough. Technical Field The present invention relates to a machine employed for rolling or flattening pastry or dough and for shaping it into circular disks provided with an unpressed peripheral edge , preferably used to produce and prepare pizza pies, tarts, cakes, etc. Background Art Machines and devices designed for rolling pastry to be used for making pizza pies, are already known. However, they have two drawbacks. - the pastry or dough is not flattened or rolled in the same way as during manual kneading, instead it is pressed, thereby giving the pastry features which lower the quality of the final product after baking; - the sheet of pastry does not have an edge projecting upwardly (which must be evident and more spongy than the remaining part of the dough after baking) , and said edge must be manually formed by the pizza chef around the periphery of the sheet of pastry which was obtained by the machine. In practice, there does not exist a machine and/or a device which rolls or flattens pastry into circular disks provided with a peripheral edge, regardless the diameter of the disk, and which in any case can provide a peripheral edge in which the pastry is neither squeezed nor cracked. Disclosure of Invention The object of the present invention is to provide a machine suited for preparing disks of pastry used for making pizza pies, which allows to realize disks of different diameters, always having a peripheral edge, and with features, like sponginess of pastry, identical to those of pizza pies manually prepared by skilled pizza chefs. The present machine also allows to prepare disk of pastry without peripheral edge, in order to manufacture other characteristic products like the so-called "piadina romagnola" , the "tigella montanara" etc. According to the present invention this object is attained by a device of the aforementioned kind, characterized in that it comprises two disks or plates.- a lower one which is rotated by a motor and on whose upper face there are added or formed spiral-like helices j and an upper plate or disk which does not rotate and which is formed either by a set of circular rings which are concentric and axially mutually sliding each one more inwardly with respect to the preceding one , or by radial sectors which are hinged to a central - 3 - part . The upper plate or disk is lowered parallely to the lower one while the latter is rotated. While bringing the two plates nearer to each other the mass of pastry put between the plates, at their center, is gradually flattened starting from the center towards the outside and a peripheral edge formed by the pastry which has not yet been flattened, will always be present. The amount of pastry which has been interposed between the plates or disks, and the stopping of the lowering of the upper plate at a suitable instant, will set the dimension of the disk diameter and its thickness. Brief Description of Drawings For a better understanding of the invention, two embodiments thereof will now be described, referring to the annexed drawings, which are illustrative and non limitative and in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows the machine of the present invention, according to a partially sectional diametrical view along the plane indicated by a-a in Fig. 2,- Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1> Fig. 3 shows, according to a plan view, the particular form of the upper plate or disk, according to a first embodiment employing circular concentric rings; Fig. 4 is a diametrical cross section of the upper plate, obtained along the plane indicated by b-b in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a diametrical cross section of the upper plate or disk, according to the plane indicated by c-c in Fig. 3 ( Fig. 6 is a view of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrow FI, Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper plate, identical to Fig. 3, in which there is also shown the device including the idle wheels, used to push the cams of the rings which make up the plate or disk itself; Fig. 8 is a sectional diametrical view of the upper plate or disk, along the plane d-d of Fig. 7, and it schematically shows the device which allows to lower one after the other the different circular rings making up the upper plate ; Figs. 9 to 12 schematically show successive steps of the cycle for flattening the pastry, and how the peripheral edge in the disk of pastry is formed according to the first embodiment; Fig. 13 shows the preparation of a disk of pastry or dough having no edge; Fig. 14 shows according to a top view the particular construction of the upper plate of the second embodiment of a machine for rolling pastry, of a kind comprising radial hinged sectors, which is also suited to realize the invention; Fig. 15 is a diametrical section of the upper plate, obtained along the plane indicated by e-e in Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a top view of the upper plate, identical to Fig. 14, in which the device comprising the idle wheels is also shown, which is used to press the cams or projections of the sectors which make up the plate itselfj Fig. 17 is a diametrical cross section of the upper plate, along the plane denoted by f-f in Fig. 16, and it schematically shows the device which allows to gradually lower the different sectors composing the upper plate,- Figs. 18 and 19 respectively show, in detail, according to two orthogonal views, a side view and a top view of the lower disk provided with spiral-like helices; Fig. 20 is a diametrical cross section along the plane denoted by g-g in Fig. 18 and shows in detail how the projecting spirals may be formed on the disk. In the different figures, the same alphanumeric reference signs denote the same parts or elements. Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention In Figs. 1 to 13 there is shown a first embodiment of a machine for rolling or flattening pastry, in order to prepare circular disks of pastry of variable thickness provided or not with a peripheral edge , the machine including the improvements of the present invention. With reference to Figs. 1 to 8 , reference numeral 1 denotes the bed of the machine inside which the ratio- motor 2 is located and fixed, said motor being used for rotating the lower plate 3 including one or more projecting spirals 4 which are either composed of added material or are directly obtained from the disk. A sheet 5, of a suitable kind, adheres to the spirals and is fixed to the bed 1. On the bed 1 there are fixed two vertical guide rods 6,7 on which the bracket 8 can slide, being driven by a linear actuator 9. The bracket 8 supports the upper plate 10, which mainly comprises, according to a first embodiment: - a cover 11 fixed to the bracket 8; - a central plate 12 provided with one or more brackets 13 which support circular rings 14,15,16,17 by means of screws 18 which are screwed in them and whose head 18/a slides inside seats obtained in the brackets 13; torsion springs in the form of helicoidal springs 19 acting between the bottom of said seat and the head of the screws 18, forcing the rings 14,15,16,17 to abut the lower surface of said brackets 13. The rings 14,15,16,17 are concentric to the central plate 12 and slide axially on each other. The brackets 13 are in contact with the cover 11 and are fixed to it. On each ring 14,15,16,17 there are obtained or added three (projecting) sectors 14/a, 15/a, 16/a, 17/a which start by forming a slope 14/b, 15/b, 16/b, 17/b acting like a cam or eccentric (see also Figs. 5,6). On the cover 11 there are mounted three adjustable thin bearing rods which will contact three bearing points provided on the bed 1 when the actuator 9 lowers the bracket 8. The adjustment of said thin bearing rods sets the distance at which the central plate 12 is stopped with respect to the spiral 4 of the lower plate or disk, and therefore also the final thickness of the disk of pastry or dough which must be obtained. Centrally, in a suitable hub provided on the cover 11, there is inserted a small spindle 21 (Fig. 8) on whose upper end there is formed (or mounted) a toothed pinion 22 associated to a rack 23 driven in both directions by a linear oleodyna ic actuator 24 fixed to the cover 11. Three arms 25 (Fig. 8) are interposed between the inner surface of the cover 11 and the circular rings 14,15,16, 17, said arms being connected to a small block 26 which supports them, this block being fixed to the spindle 21. On each arm 25 there are inserted six idle wheels (or radial bearings) , two of them, denoted by 27 and 28, are in contact with the inner plane of the cover 11, whereas the other ones can interact only with the cam¬ like sectors 14/b, 15/b, 16/b, 17/b when, by means of the linear actuator 24, the small spindle 21 is rotated in the direction of the arrow F2, together with the corresponding wheel supporting arms 25. Thereby, each set of three wheels (one for each arm 25) acts on the cams of the same ring, which lowers until it is flush with the small central plate 12. On the rings, the cam-like sectors are disposed in sequence so that each ring starts lowering when the preceding one is already flush with the small central plate 12. The two small wheels 27,28 which bear on the cover 11, on its inside, prevent the arms 25 from bending upwardly due to the thrust trasmitted to the wheels interacting with the cam-like sectors. A disk made of teflon coated cloth 30 may cover both the small central plate and the circular rings. If the central small plate and the circular rings are manufactured with great precision and with a material suited for foodstuffs, it is possible to avoid use of the cloth 30. Thereby, when the plates or disks are separated from each other, each circular ring acts as a separating means in the sense that it assists in detaching the pastry or dough from the adjacent ring (if it adheres to it) . In the rest position, the small wheels are not in contact with the cam-like sectors (Fig. 7). The operation of the device is the following: after starting the ratio-motor 2 by means of an appropriate oleodynamic control unit (not shown) which may or not be incorporated in the machine, the actuator 9 lowering the bracket 8 is operated; when the small bearing rods 20 bear on the bed 1 and the descent stroke is stopped, the pressure inside the oleodynamic circuit increases; a sequence valve which has been calibrated to a preset value, opens itself and operates the actuator 24 which rotates the spindle 21, causing the successive; lowering of the rings 14,15,16,17. It is obvious that the lowering may be stopped at any time, that is: - immediately after the small bearing rods 20 touch the bed ; - after lowering of the first ring 14; - and so on. Figs. 9 to 12 show the manufacturing cycle of the disks of pastry: - when the machine is not running, or when the ratio- motor 2 and the oleodynamic control unit are started, a piece of pastry 29 is put at the center of the lower plate (Fig. 9) ; - the actuator 9 is operated. When the small bearing rods 20 stop on the bed 1 , the pastry 29 has flattened as shown in Fig. 10 and forms a central zone (whose diameter equals the diameter of the small central plate 12) having already the desired final thickness "S" which is set by the adjustment of the small bearing rods 20, and a large edge 29/a which is composed of the mass of pastry in excess; - when the sequence valve starting actuator 24 is released, the first ring 14 lowers (Fig. 11) , and successively all the remaining ones, until the final situation depicted in Fig. 12 is reached, wherein the disk of pastry has a corresponding small final edge 29/b. By varying the pastry amount 29 and the thickness "S", it is possible to obtain: - disks of pastry, comprising an edge, of as many different diameter sizes as the number of rings increased by one. In the illustrated example we have five disks of different diameter, for making pizza pies or tarts; - disks of different diameter size but without edge (Fig. 13) , for the preparation of cakes, "tigelle montanare", "piadine", etc. The embodiment, as shown and described above, is not the only possible. Accordingly, a machine for flattening or rolling pastry according to the present invention, may not be of the kind comprising circular concentric axially slidable rings, but of a kind including hinged sectors (Figs. 14 to 17), wherein 12/a denotes the central small plate, which in the present case has an hexagonal form and is provided with six brackets 13 to fix it to the cover 11. To the central small plate 12/a there are connected, through hinges 30, a plurality of sectors 31 which are peripherally raised by means of traction springs 32 acting between hooks 33, mounted on or integral with sectors 31, and hooks 34, which are fixed to or integral with the brackets 13. On each sector 31, in a similar way as has been done for the rings 14,15,16,17 of the previously described embodiment, a cam 35/a,35/b is added to or formed integral with the sector, whereon an idle wheel 36 acts, whereas a second small wheel 28, which is also freely rotatable, rolls bearing on the inside surface of the cover 11, as in the previous embodiment. The small wheels 28 and 36 are mounted idle on the pins 25, which are mounted and driven by means of the actuator 24 and the rack 23, exactly in the same way as in the embodiment employing concentric circular rings, for the purpose of gradually lowering the sectors 31, when the pastry is to be flattened starting from the center towards the periphery. As may be observed, both embodiments are similar: in the embodiment employing pivoting sectors, their number may be different from six; the thickness of the pastry is always determined through the adjustment of the small bearing rods 20, and the pastry is gradually flattened from the center towards the periphery as the sectors are lowered through the thrust of the small wheels on the cam-like sectors. Substantially, the operation of the machine is the same as that already described for the embodiment employing circular concentric rings. In both embodiments, the disk 3 carrying the spirals 4 plays a fundamental role, influencing the flattening of the pastry and the execution time. The number of turns to impart to the disk or plate 3 is determined by the number of spirals 4 which are present on its face, and by the property of the mixture composing the pastry. If necessary, the ratio-motor 2 may be replaced by a stepless speed change gear or by a ratio-motor combined with a change gear with many speed levels. Industrial Applicability The two embodiments which have been shown and described refer to the realization of machines employed in pizza- restaurants, restaurants, snack-bars, etc. The operation principles which are illustrated by them, that is a lower rotating plate provided with spirals forming projections, an upper plate formed by concentric rings or sectors, may be used to realize automatic plants (or lines) for the industrial production of pizza-pies (for instance) . An automatic line is an automatized multiple station transfer machine wherein in the lower part of every station there is provided a motor driven disk or plate 3 carrying spirals 4; in the upper part of every station there is a plate or disk whose central small plate 12 or 12/a has a diameter size which becomes larger and larger according to the desired number of passages or stations which, as established in advance, devides up the cycle for flattening the pastry. The advantages with respect to the present industrial production lines of pizza-pies, are the following: - the yield and heating of the pastry are as low as possible since the flattening or rolling of the pastry is divided up in more steps; - the period of every cycle is reduced to the time required for a single step, with an obvious noticeable increase of productivity. As will be obvious from the description given above of two preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the example mentioned, which has been presented only for illustrative purposes. It roust be understood that other steps, examples, constituent parts and methods of operation will spontaneously originate in the mind of one skilled in the art after an attentive reading of the present disclusure, even if this is not to be considered unrelated to the scope of the invention as the latter is claimed hereinafter.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough in order to produce circular disks of pastry or dough of various thickness, diameter size, with or without peripheral edge, characterized in that it comprises: - a lower horizontal disk or plate (3) which is motor driven and on whose upper face there are added or obtained, according to known shapes, two or more spiral-like sectors (4) starting near the center of the plate or disk, serving to flatten or roll the pastry from the center towards the periphery, when the disk (3) is rotated and the pastry or dough to be flattened is put and kept in contact with the disk; - means for driving said disk ( 3) ; - a sheet (5) for covering the disk and separating it from the pastry or dough; - an upper "headpiece" which serves to gradually press, from the center towards the periphery, said pastry to be flattened, against the lower disk (3); - means for bringing the "upper headpiece" nearer the lower disk or plate (3); - electromechanical means and/or electrofluidic means appropriate to impart the necessary movements to the different elements composing the machine; - control means of said electromechanical and /or electrofluidic means, which are appropriate to start and handle the operations according to the succession required to form the disks of pastry or dough. 2) A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough according to claims 1, characterized in that the upper surface of said spiral-like sectors is rounded. 3) A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough according to claim 1, characterized in that said means which are appropriate to drive the lower disk or plate (3) are formed by a ratio-motor (2) whose output shaft is fixed to the pin supporting the disk or plate (3) provided with the spirals. 4) A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough according to claim 3, characterized in that the ratio- motor (2) may be replaced by a stepless speed change gear or by a ratio-motor combined with a change gear having different speed levels, if it is desired to work with different speeds for flattening the pastry or dough or to replace the disk (3) with disks which have a different number of spirals with respect to each other. 5) A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet (5) for covering and separating the disk provided with the spirals from the pastry or dough, which preferably is plushy in order to retain a certain amount of flour, prevents direct contact of the pastry to be flattened with the spirals of the disk or plate and avoids sticking of the pastry. 6) A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the said upper "headpiece" comprises: a bracket (8) which is vertically slidable along guides (6,7), a cover or head (11) which is integrally formed with said bracket and is provided with one or more adjustable small rods (20) which may interact with the bed (1) of the machine, stopping the downward stroke of said bracket (8) and determining the thickness of the disk of pastry, a small spindle (21) having a vertical axis, which is centrally located on said cover (11) and which can rotate alternately clockwise or counterclockwise, being driven by a linear oleodynamic actuator (24) which is fixed to the cover (11) , this actuator driving in both directions a rack (23) which is associated to a toothed pinion (22) integral with the spindle (21) ; - a central small plate (12) which is provided with at least three brackets (13) which elastically support a plurality of circular concentric rings (14,15,16,17) which can freely slide axially one with respect to the other, being adjacent to each other, at least three arms (25) , which are arranged radially and are equally angularly spaced, and whereon there are mounted idle wheels or radial bearings. 7) A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said small central plate (12) is fixed be means of the brackets (13) to the lower face of said cover (11) , and in that on said circular rings (14,15,16,17) there are circular sectors ( 14/a, 15/a, 16/a, 17/a) integral with the rings or formed by added material, one end thereof forming a slope ( 14/b,15/b, 16/b,17/b) which acts like a cam. 8) A machine according to claims 6,7, characterized in that said arms (25) are supported by a small block (26) integral with said small spindle (21). 9) A machine according to claims 6,7,8, characterized in that said idle wheels which are mounted on the arms (25), partly are in contact with the inner surface of the cover (11), and partly can interact with the said cam-like sectors provided on said circular rings. 10) A machine according to claims 6 to 9 , characterized in that the circular rings (14,15,16,17), in their rest position, are retracted with respect to the front part of said central small plate (12), whereas they are flush with the front part of the central plate (12) when they are displaced by said idle wheels which interact with the cam-like sectors; the cam-like sectors on the rings being arranged in such a way that the idle wheels will sequentially displace the different circular rings starting with the innermost one. 11) A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said cover (11) , together with all components contained therein and connected thereto, is mounted on a bracket (8) which is guided and slidable axially on vertical guide rods which are connected to the machine bed. 12) A machine according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that an oleodynamic actuator (9) alternately drives the bracket (8) thereby letting the upper headpiece approach to or move away from the lower plate or disk. 13) A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the central small plate (12) and the circular rings are preferably covered by a sheet (30). 14) A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said "upper headpiece" comprises: - a bracket (8) which slides vertically on guides (6,7) of any known kind; - a cover or head (11) which is rigidly connected to said bracket and is provided with at least one adjustable small rod (20) which abuts on the bed (1) of the machine and stops the downward stroke of said bracket (8) thereby setting the thickness of the disk of pastry; - a small spindle (21) , which has a vertical axis, which is located on the center of the cover (11) and can alternatively rotate either clockwise or - 19 - counterclockwise, being driven by a linear oleodynamic actuator (24) rigidly connected to the cover (11), which moves back and forth a rack (23) associated to a toothed pinion (22) which is rigidly connected to the spindle (21); - a small central plate (12/a) which has a polygonal shape and is hinged at every side of the polygon to a semicircular sector (31), said small central plate being provided with a number of brackets (13) corresponding to the number of its sides and which are rigidly connected thereto, said brackets supporting at their outer end the sectors (31) by means of springs (32), in such a way as to tilt sectors (31) upwardly starting from the hinge; - a number of arms (25) corresponding to the number of sides of the polygon, arranged radially and equally spaced with respect to each other and a pair of small wheels or radial bearings mounted thereon. 15) A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that to said cover (11), at its lower face, there is rigidly assembled said small central plate (12/a) by means of brackets (13). 16) A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that on each one of said semicircular sectors (31), there is obtained or realized by adding material according to known methods, a circular sector (35/a) which projects outwards and has an end (35/b) forming a slope and acting like a cam. 17) A machine according to claims 14,15,16, characterized in that said arms (25) are supported by a small block (26) which is rigidly connected to said spindle (21). 18) A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that one of said idle wheels arranged on each arm (25) engages the inner face of the cover (11) and the other one (36) interacts with said cam-like sectors (35/b) which are provided on said sectors (31). 19) A machine according to claims 14 and 18, characterized in that said semicircular sectors (31) will be flush with the front plane of the small central plate (12/a) when they are simultaneously pushed by said idle wheels (36) interacting with said cam-like sectors (35/b), in such a way that said semicircular sectors (31) gradually lower at their periphery and become aligned with the lower surface of the small central plate (12a) , because of the rotation imparted on the centrally located spindle (21) by the linear actuator (24) and the rack (23) associated to the toothed pinion (22) rigidly connected to the spindle (21) , and also because of the interaction of the idle wheels (36) arranged on the arms (25) with the cams (35/b) . 20) A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that said cover (11), together with all constituent parts connected thereto and contained therein, is fixed to a bracket (8) which is guided axially and slides on vertical guide rods which are rigidly connected to the machine bed. 21) A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that an oleodynamic actuator (9) alternately drives the bracket (8), letting the upper headpiece approach to or move away from the lower plate or disk. 22) A machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (24) which drives the rack (23) is operated when the small bearing rods (20) have reached the bed (1) and an increase of pressure is produced in the oleodynamic circuit and a sequence valve which is appropriately calibrated releases the power valve which controls the actuator (24). 23) A machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electromechanic and/or electrofluidic means are known means like electric motors, linear actuators and/or rotative mechanic actuators and/or hydraulic-preferentially oleodynamic actuators, hydraulic control units, every element being arranged and connected according to known methods and being contained or not inside the body of the machine. 24) A machine according to claim 23, characterized in that said linear actuators and/or rotative actuators may be replaced by mechanical devices like eccentrics, linkworks or other known devices appropriate to perform the described and claimed operations. 25) A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means comprise a control circuit of the electric motor of the ratio-motor, an hydraulic or electric control circuit of the actuators, switches, starters, remote control switches and all what is necessary and provided by the safety rules, all being realized and arranged according to known methods in order to perform the described and claimed operations. 26) A machine for flattening pastry for pizza-pies according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by arranging a plurality of successive stations, each one forming a combination of: - a lower disk or plate provided with spirals and rotated by a motor; - an upper "headpiece" according to claim 1 and claims 6 to 13, or according to claim 1 and claims 14 to 21, it is possible to obtain on automatized multiple station transfer machine appropriate for industrially producing pizza-pies, "piadine" and every product obtained from a circular disk of salty or sweet pastry, said transfer machine including: - upstream a kneading machine of a known kind and provided with a metering device and a manipulator or a slave robot; - downstream, a seasoning dispenser and a baking oven. 27) A method using a machine for flattening or rolling pastry according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that everything is designed and arranged so as to: - bring the upper headpiece near the lower plate or disk at a previously adjusted distance which can be varied at will; - align the circular rings to bring them flush with the central small disk, by lowering them progressively starting from the central one; or - align the hinged sectors to bring them flush with the central small disk, by gradually lowering them; - stop the descent of the circular rings or of the hinged sectors at any time, stopping the stroke of the actuator which drives the rack, in order to obtain pastry disks of variable diameter, with or without edge, by metering the amount of pastry used and the thickness of the disk of pastry obtained. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 19 March 1996 (19.03.96); original claims 1-27 replaced by amended claims 1-20 (10 pages)]' 1)* A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough in order to produce circular disks of pastry or dough of various thickness, diameter size, with or without peripheral edge, comprising: - a lower horizontal disk or plate (3) which is motor driven and on whose upper face there are added or obtained, according to known shapes, two or more rounded spiral-like sectors (4) starting near the center of the plate or disk, serving to flatten or roll the pastry from the center towards the periphery, when the disk (3) is rotated and the pastry or dough to be flattened is put and kept in contact with the disk; - means for driving said disk (3) ; characterized in that said disk cooperates with an upper "headpiece" preferably covered with a sheet (30) which serves to gradually press, from the center towards the periphery, said pastry to be flattened which initially is unpressed and has a ball-like shape, against the lower disk (3) , while the latter rotates; and in that it further comprises: - means for bringing the "upper headpiece" nearer the lower disk or plate (3), - electromechanical means and/or electrofluidic means appropriate to impart the necessary movements to the different elements composing the machine; - control means of said electromechanical and /or - 25 - electrofluidic means, which are appropriate to start and handle the operations according to the succession required to form the disks of pastry or dough; - a sheet (5) for covering the disk (3) and separating it from the pastry of dough. 2)* A machine for flattening or rolling pastry or dough according to claim 1, characterized in that said means which are appropriate to drive the lower disk or plate (3) are formed by a ratio-motor (2) whose output shaft is fixed to the pin supporting the disk or plate (3) provided with the spirals, or by a stepless speed change gear or by a ratio-motor combined with a change gear having different speed levels, if it is desired to work with different speeds for flattening the pastry or dough or to replace the disk (3) with disks which have a different number of spirals with respect to each other. 3)* A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet (5) for covering and separating the disk provided with the spirals from the pastry or dough, which preferably is plushy in order to retain a certain amount of flour, prevents direct contact of the pastry to be flattened with the spirals of the disk or plate and avoids sticking of the pastry. 4)* A machine according to claim 1, in which the said upper "headpiece" comprises: a bracket (8) which is vertically slidable along guides (6,7) which are connected to the machine bed; a cover or head (11) which is integrally formed with said bracket and is provided with one or more adjustable small rods (20) which may interact with the bed (1) of the machine, stopping the downward stroke of said bracket (8) and determining the thickness of the disk of pastry, characterized in that it further camprises: a small spindle (21) having a vertical axis, which is centrally located on said cover (11) and which can rotate alternately clockwise or counterclockwise, being driven by a linear oleodynamic actuator (24) which is fixed to the cover (11), this actuator driving in both directions a rack (23) which is associated to a toothed pinion (22) integral with the spindle (21); - a central small plate (12) which is provided with at least three brackets (13) which elastically support a plurality of circular concentric rings (14,15,16,17) which can freely slide axially one with respect to the other, being adjacent to each other; at least three arms (25), which are arranged radially and are equally angularly spaced, and whereon there are mounted idle wheels or radial bearings, said arms (25) being rigidly connected to said spindle (21) through a small block (26) ; whereby said small central plate (12) is fixed be means of the brackets (13) to the lower face of said cover (11) , and in that on said circular rings (14,15,16,17) there are - 27 - circular sectors (14/a,15/a,16/a,17/a) integral with the rings or formed by added material, one end thereof forming a slope (14/b,15/b,16/b,17/b) which acts like a cam. 5)* A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said idle wheels which are mounted on the arms (25), partly are in contact with the inner surface of the cover (11), and partly can interact with the said cam-like sectors provided on said circular rings. 6)* A machine according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the circular rings (14,15,16,17), in their rest position, are retracted with respect to the front part of said central small plate (12), whereas they are flush with the front part of the central plate (12) when they are displaced by said idle wheels which interact with the cam-like sectors; the cam-like sectors on the rings being arranged in such a way that the idle wheels will sequentially displace the different circular rings starting with the innermost one. 7)* A machine according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that an oleodynamic actuator (9) alternately drives the bracket (8) thereby letting the upper headpiece approach to or move away from the lower plate or disk. 8)* A machine according to claim 1, in which said "upper headpiece" comprises: - a bracket (8) which slides vertically on guides (6,7) of any known kind; - a cover or head (11) which is rigidly connected to said bracket and is provided with at least one adjustable small rod (20) which abuts on the bed (1) of the machine and stops the downward stroke of said bracket (8) thereby setting the thickness of the disk of pastry, characterized in that it further comprises: - a small spindle (21), which has a vertical axis, which is located on the center of the cover (11) and can alternatively rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise, being driven by a linear oleodynamic actuator (24) rigidly connected to the cover (11), which moves back and forth a rack (23) associated to a toothed pinion (22) which is rigidly connected to the spindle (21) ; - a small central plate (12/a) which has a polygonal shape and is hinged at every side of the polygon to a semicircular sector (31), said small central plate being provided with a number of brackets (13) corresponding to the number of its sides and which are rigidly connected thereto, said brackets supporting at their outer end the sectors (31) by means of springs (32), in such a way as to tilt sectors (31) upwardly starting from the hinge ,- - a number of arms (25) corresponding to the number of sides of the polygon, arranged radially and equally spaced with respect to each other and a pair of small wheels or radial bearings mounted thereon. 9)* A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that to said cover (11), at its lower face, there is rigidly assembled said small central plate (12/a) by means of brackets (13). 10)* A machine according to claim 9, characterized in that on each one of said semicircular sectors (31), there is obtained or realized by adding material according to known methods, a circular sector (35/a) which projects outwards and has an end (35/b) forming a slope and acting like a cam. 11)* A machine according to claims 8,9,10, characterized in that said arms (25) are supported by a small block (26) which is rigidly connected to said spindle (21), and in that one of said idle wheels arranged on each arm (25) engages the inner face of the cover (11) and the other one (36) interacts with said cam-like sectors (35/b) which are provided on said sectors (31). 12)* A machine according to claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said semicircular sectors (31) will be flush with the front plane of the small central plate (12/a) when they are simultaneously pushed by said idle wheels (36) interacting with said cam-like - 30 - sectors (35/b), in such a way that said semicircular sectors (31) gradually lower at their periphery and become aligned with the lower surface of the small central plate (12a) , because of the rotation imparted on the centrally located spindle (21) by the linear actuator (24) and the rack (23) associated to the toothed pinion (22) rigidly connected to the spindle (21) , and also because of the interaction of the idle wheels (36) arranged on the arms (25) with the cams (35/b) . 13)* A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said cover (11), together with all constituent parts connected thereto and contained therein, is fixed to a bracket (8) which is guided axially and slides on vertical guide rods which are rigidly connected to the machine bed. 14)* A machine according to claim 8, characterized in that an oleodynamic actuator (9) alternately drives the bracket (8) , letting the upper headpiece approach to or move away from the lower plate or disk. 15)* A machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (24) which drives the rack (23) is operated when the small bearing rods (20) have reached the bed (1) and an increase of pressure is produced in the oleodynamic circuit and a sequence valve which is appropriately calibrated releases the power valve which controls the actuator (24). 16)* A machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electromechanic and/or electrofluidic means are electric motors, linear actuators and/or rotative mechanic actuators and/or hydraulic-preferentially oleodynamic actuators, hydraulic control units, every element being contained or not inside the body of the machine. 17)* A machine according to claim 16, characterized in that said linear actuators and/or rotative actuators may be replaced by mechanical devices like eccentrics, linkworks or other known devices appropriate to perform the described and claimed operations. 18)* A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means comprise a control circuit of the electric motor of the ratio-motor, an hydraulic or electric control circuit of the actuators, switches, starters, remote control switches and all what is necessary and provided by the safety rules. 19)* A machine for flattening pastry for pizza-pies according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by arranging a plurality of successive stations, each one forming a combination of: - a lower disk or plate provided with spirals and rotated by a motor; - an upper "headpiece" according to claim 1 and claims 4 to 7 , or according to claim 1 and claims 8 to 14, it is possible to obtain on automatized multiple station transfer machine appropriate for industrially producing pizza-pies, "piadine" and every product obtained from a circular disk of salty or sweet pastry, said transfer machine including: - upstream a kneading machine of a known kind and provided with a metering device and a manipulator or a slave robot; - downstream, a seasoning dispenser and a baking oven. 20)* A method using a machine for flattening or rolling pastry according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that everything is designed and arranged so as to: - bring the upper headpiece near the lower plate or disk at a previously adjusted distance which can be varied at will; - align the circular rings to bring them flush with the central small disk, by lowering them progressively starting from the central one, or - align the hinged sectors to bring them flush with the central small disk, by gradually lowering them; - stop the descent of the circular rings or of the hinged sectors at any time, stopping the stroke of the actuator which drives the rack, in order to obtain pastry disks of variable diameter, with or without edge, by metering the amount of pastry used and the controlling thickness of the disk of pastry obtained.

Inventors: BELTRAMI LAURO, BELTRAMI, LAURO
Applicants: BELTRAMI LAURO, BELTRAMI, LAURO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A21C11
IPC codes: A21C11