Improvements in and relating to Baking Pans.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Baking Pans.
I, WILLIAM HAROLD MULLINS, of Salem, in the County of Columbiana, State of
Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to pans adapted for baking bread or other articles of food.
More definitely stated the present invention contemplates and includes corre-
sponding pan sections adapted to form a rectangular covered or double baking
pan completely surrounded by a series of transverse corrugations or projections;
also means for supporting said pan upon one of its angles during use, thus pre-
senting a minimum contact or supporting surface to direct engagement with the
oven, suitable bails being shown for this purpose and for purposes of interlocking
the pan sections; also the production of corresponding pan-sections, with rapidly
converging sides, which nest with the greatest economy of space during transporta-
tion or storage; and also the production of a pan which in operative position presents
a maximum crusting surface, and which, when used with others in an oven insures
complete circulation of heat about and between them.
This invention has for its object, therefore, the manufacture of baking pans
designed, arranged and adapted to produce a superior article of bread food, cake, or
puddings in a manner both economical and proof against scorching or burning in
the oven; a product the nutritious values and flavors whereof shall be enclosed
and confined by a completely and uniformly encrusted surface; a loaf configured
by a series of surrounding corrugations or crimps serving to increase its crusting
area, and to indicate points of slicing with accuracy; and also a rectangular loaf
which will most readily clear itself from the pan when baked, presenting a
symmetrical and most convenient shape for table use.
The invention will be hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the
claims following.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and whereon
like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:-
Figure 1, represents in perspective my improved form of double baking pan the
sections being properly assembled, interlocked and supported for use, and,
Figure 2, is a corresponding view showing one pan section with its bail folded
under to constitute a foot for maintaining the pan in an upright position.
Reference being had to the drawings and letters thereon it will be observed that
a double or quadrangular pan as illustrated by Figure 1, is composed of two inter-
changeable and corresponding sections or pans, divided by a plane extending
through opposing angles of the figure, as shown by Figure 2; and for this reason
one only of said sections or single pans need be herein specifically described. These
pan-sections are preferably blanked from a single piece of relatively stiff sheet
metal, and finished by the operation of suitable steel shaping dies.
As most clearly shown by Figure 2 the letter A indicates a horizontal surrounding
rim the surface whereof is broken by depressions B B and C, as also by projecting
lugs DD and E for purposes that will later appear.

page_text: Integral with the rim A are angular end walls FF, and convergent sides GG,
which latter combine to form an angular contact or supporting surface H at their
line of intersection. These sides G G are configured by a series of transverse corru-
gations or crimps II individually extending from side to side of, rim A and
collectively covering the entire space between ends FF as shown.
Journaled in the projecting lugs DD on opposite sides of rim A is a bail J of
convenient form having a horizontal foot K, adapted to swing beneath the end of
contact or supporting surface H and interlock with its corrugations I. By prefer-
ence this bail is made of spring wire to facilitate its co-action with the corrugations I
aforesaid, and is of the form shown for convenience of handling, packing, or storage,
though obviously its character and shape do not enter into the spirit of the invention.
As thus far described the invention is operative, and constitutes a single or open
baker; when, however, it is desired to use the pan in its preferred arrangement
the pan-section last described is merely enclosed or covered by a second inverted
duplicate section as shown by Figure 1. In this relation it will be observed that.
the surrounding flanges A A of each section or pan abut, the projecting lugs DD
and E of one pan-section engaging the corresponding depressions BB and C of the
other, thus preventing independent movement of either section, and insuring
complete registration of the corrugations I in both. This accomplished the two
sections may be securely interlocked by means of the bails J J journaled in lugs D D
of each; these being swung in opposite directions over the end of adjacent pan-
sections are then seated between two of the corrugations I thereof, and retained by
their inherent spring action. The end corrugations I and several adjacent thereto
thus serve in the capacity of a rack over which the foot K of spring bails J may be
advanced to permit degrees of closeness or tightness with which the pan-sections
may be interlocked and bound together; while at same time, it will be noted that
bail J of the upper pan-section or cover passing beneath the lower pan-section as
described performs the additional and important function of maintaining the entire
pan upon its contact or supporting surface H when in use.
This being substantially a description of my present invention in its preferred
form of construction, an example of its use and operation is as follows: A baking
of dough placed in the lower pan-section may be covered by an upper pan-section,
the two interlocked as described, and subjected to the heat of an oven. Rising in
the usual manner the dough aforesaid first hermetically seals the parting line of the
pans, between their rims A A, thus closely confining and retaining every virtue of
the flour during the process, and subjecting the loaf to a combined baking and
steaming action.
Rising further the confined dough proceeds to mold itself into all corrugations I
of both pan-sections and is correspondingly configured as and for purposes
heretofore stated. A loaf having been thus baked may readily be released by
the removal of interlocking bails J and separation of the pan-sections. It will
then be found encased in a uniform crisp crust surrounded by parallel transverse
corrugations which serve as guides in the matter of slicing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A baking pan having convergent sides, angular ends, and a minimum contact
or supporting surface formed by the intersection of said sides, in combination with
means for maintaining the pan in an upright position, substantially as described.
2. A quadrangular baking pan formed of corresponding sections divided by a
plane extending through opposing angles of the figure, in combination with means
for supporting said pan upon one of its angles, substantially as described.
3. A rectangular baking pan formed of corresponding sections each configured
by a series of transverse corrugations, in combination with means for supporting
the pan upon one of its angles, substantially as described.
4. A rectangular baking pan formed of corresponding sections each configured

page_text: by a series of transverse corrugations, in combination with a swinging bail for
supporting the pan upon one of its angles, substantially as described.
5. A rectangular baking pan formed of two interchangeable sections, in combina-
tion with a horizontal rim surrounding each section, registering lugs and depressions
on the meeting faces of said rims, and a bail pivoted upon each section for inter-
locking them and supporting the pan upon one of its angles, substantially as
described.
1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.