Patent GB-1434031-A (GB)
Title: Toasting apparatus
IPC: A47J37/04
Filed: 1972-07-03
Abstract: 1434031 Toasters WATERMILL ENG Ltd 29 June 1973 [3 July 1972] 30946/72 Heading A4D TOASTING APPARATUS: A toasting apparatus comprises a carrier disc 10, Fig. 2, mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, a plurality of frames 20, Fig. 1, circumferentially mounted on the disc 10 for rotation therewith and adapted to hold slices of bread which are loaded through inwardly facing openings in the frames 20, a motor 12 for rotating the disc 10, a heating zone # through which the frames 20 pass while rotating, and an unloading station 7 where the toasts are removed. The heating means are heater elements 17 located on either side of the bread slices which are ejected on to a tray 50 in the region γ when they are toasted. The disc 10 is mounted in a box which has a circular opening 4 through which the frames 20 can be loaded in a region α. FRAMES: Twelve frames 20 are provided, each adapted to hold two slices of bread substantially parallel to the disc 10. Each frame 20 has L-shaped members (27), Fig. 3 (not shown), a base (21), and wires (30) which define cages and channels 24 through which the slices can be slid into the cages from within the drum-like structure formed by the disc 10 and the frames 20. In an alternative embodiment, frames (121), Fig. 8 (not shown) are mounted on the disc 10 to hold the slices substantially perpendicular to the disc 10. In the zone #, a curved plate 16 or wires prevent the slices from falling through to the tray 50 in the region #. EJECTOR DEVICES: An ejector device 40 consists of a bar 42 which engages the slices and assists them in leaving the cages and falling into the tray 50 in the region γ. The bar 42 is mounted on an endless belt 41 driven in synchronism with the rotation of the disc 10 by a motor 43. Alternatively, an ejector bar (92), Fig. 5 (not shown) is reciprocated in slots (93) by arms (85, 87) cranked by a sprocket (81). A cam (95) is mounted on the axle (82) of the sprocket (81) and operates a micro-switch (96), Fig. 6 (not shown) of a control circuit. CONTROLS: The degree of toasting may be controlled by varying the output of the heater elements 17, by adjusting the speed of rotation of the disc 10, or by causing the rotation to be intermittent and varying the duration of the stationary periods in the heating zone #. The output of the heater elements 17 is controlled by variable output switches 19, 19a. To alter the speed of rotation of the disc 10, pulleys of different sizes may be used in the drive transmission. Alternatively, the drive is via a reduction gear box (60), Fig. 4 (not shown) and a disc (62) engaging a friction disc (63) mounted on a housing (65) which slides along a shaft (64) of bevel gears (68, 69) which drive the disc 10. The speed of rotation of the disc 10 depends on the point of contact of the discs (62, 63). The third method of control involves the use of a timing circuit which includes micro-switches and delay relays which are operated by the cam (95) and by pegs (98) on the disc 10. In this mode of use the slices are held stationary in the heating zone # for between 5 and 20 seconds and then moved on automatically. The control circuit and its operation are described in detail.