GB2193626A - Baking tray - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable the tray to be constructed principally of relatively fragile aluminium, which is light and gives good heat transmission, the tray comprises a planar product-supporting sheet 52 and a cupped or pocketed transmission sheet 54 both of aluminium surrounded by and locating into a gap 50 provided by a C-sectioned frame 40 of steel which may be aluminised and imparts strength to the tray and protects the sheets 52 and 54 against damage. The two sheets 52, 54 can be used selectively as desired according to which way up the tray is used and the exposed surfaces of such sheets are preferably treated with silicon or other non-stick finish. In its simplest construction, the tray comprises just a surrounding frame of steel and a single aluminium product-supporting sheet. In all constructions, a section of the frame may be removable to permit withdrawal of the sheet(s) for maintenance or replacement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Baking tray This invention concerns baking trays, such as are employed for instance in commercial bakeries and like establishments for supporting edible products during the cooking thereof by baking in an oven.

Traditionally such trays are made of steel.

However, baking trays made of steel are heavy and cumbersome, and therefore not liked very much by the personnel having to handle them. Moreover, steel is a relatively poor conductor of heat and this can manifest itself in practice in unevenly-baked products.

Aluminium is, of course, relatively light and gives better heat transmission, and is being used increasingly in so-called "in-store" bakeries, which are relatively small and in which the personnel tend to be more meticulous and capable in the handling of their equipment, but aluminium trays are generally much too fragile for the robust handling to which they are subjected in factory bakeries and like environments.

It is usual for baking trays, employed both in in-store bakeries and in factory bakeries, to have a silicone or other non-stick surface treatment to promote release of the products baked thereon. This surface treatment has a relatively short life, and for the trays to be used economically over the entire period during which they are structurally sound, they have to be retreated at frequent intervals.

An object of the present invention is to provide a construction of baking tray which may be composed principally of aluminium, but which does not suffer from the disadvantage of such material as above discussed, the form of the tray being such as facilitate its nonstick surface treatment or retreatment, and to extend its useful iife substantially.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a metal baking tray characterised in that it comprises a frame of steel and of a profile or cross-section providing an inwardlydirected gap, said frame surrounding a product-supporting sheet of aluminium, the peripheral edge of the sheet locating into the gap of the frame.

Where the tray includes just a single aluminium sheet which is substantially planar, the tray may be used with either of the surfaces of the sheet uppermost. Accordingly it is advantageous for both faces of the sheet to be treated to render it non-stick. Further to enhance its versatility however, it is possible for the tray of the invention to include a second product-supporting sheet, the two sheets being located by both of their peripheral edges locating in the gap in the frame. If desired, both of these sheets may be planar, or they may both be shaped, e.g. with cups or depressions for the baking of buns or like products. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the one sheet to be substantially planar and the other shaped with cups or depressions, so that the user of the tray may use either surface, at will, according to the product desired to be baked.

Where two sheets are provided, as above discussed, the frame is preferably of C-shaped profile or cross-section for the two peripheral edges to locate therein.

The frame in the tray of the invention, being of steel, imparts strength to the structure of the tray, and is instrumental in protecting the sheet or sheets against accidental damage.

Such frame is preferably of aluminised steel, and advantageously includes a removal section which permits removal of the sheet or sheets for maintenance and/or replacement, with this arrangement, silicone-treatment of the surface(s) of the sheet(s) is facilitated, and of course the frame can be used with another sheet or sheets, if desired, whilst this is being carried out.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the baking tray of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a second embodiment of the baking tray of the invention; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, this figure illustrates what is substantially the simplest embodiment of the baking tray of the invention. As shown, the tray comprises a peripheral frame indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 composed of two side members 12, 14 and two end members 16, 18 connected together in a rectangular configuration. Each such member 12 to 18 is of steel or aluminised steel and is of a profile of cross-section corresponding approximately to a flattened-C in shape so that it has, between the extremities of the C, a narrow gap indicated as at 2C in Fig. 2, this gap 20 being inwardly directed relative to the frame 10.

The frame 10 surrounds a product-supporting sheet 22, which in this embodiment is a substantially planar sheet and which locates with the frame 10 by its peripheral edge projecting into the gap 20. For lightness and good heat conductivity, the sheet 22 is of aluminium, or an aluminium alioy, and it may be treated on one or both of its exposed surfaces with a silicone or other release material (not shown) so that any products baked thereon will not stick to the sheet. Where both faces of the sheet 22 are of a non-stick character, the tray can, of course, be used either way up.

As will be understood, the fact that the sheet 22 is of aluminium or aluminium alloy ensures that the tray is light and easy to handle, and that goods baked thereon are subjected to even heating, due to the good thermal conductivity of the sheet. The steel frame 10, however, assures that the sheet 22 is protected against damage even if the tray should be handled robustly. The possibility of removal of the sheet 22 may be provided for, for instance for replacement thereof, or to enable the surface(s) thereof to be retreated to restore its non-stick surface which may deteriorate with use, by providing for at least one of the members 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the frame 10 to be detachable and replaceable.

This can be achieved, for instance, by having these members held together by screws (not shown).

Turning now to Figs. 3 and 4, these figures illustrate a second embodiment of the tray of the invention. This tray comprises a frame 40 which is composed of members 42, 44, 46 and 48 comparable with the members 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the previously described embodiment, and of the same material as the latter, but of- a cross-sectional shape such as to provide a much wider gap 50. Instead of having a single product-supporting sheet, that tray comprises a first such sheet 52 which is planar and substantially similar to the sheet 22 of the embodiment of Figs.I and 2, and a second such sheet 54 which is of the same material as the sheet 52 but is shaped to enbody cups or depressions 56 which can be employed in relation to the baking of buns, pastries, pies and pie-cases, and like products, The cups or depressions 56 are flat-bottomed so that they rest stably against the confronting face of the planar sheet 52, and the peripheral edges of the two sheets 52, 54 are separated by a spacing such that they are a snug fit into the gap 50 As will be understood, in this embodiment, again the frame 40 is effective to protect the aluminium sheets 52, 54, and these latter ensure that the tray is light and that good heat transmission is achieved. As with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, one or more of the frame members 52 to 58 may be removable to enable either or both of the sheets 52, 54 to be withdrawn for maintenance or refurbishment, e.g. to retreat the surfaces thereof to restore non-stick characteristics thereof.

The invention is not confined to the precise details of the foregoing examples which may be varied within the scope of the following

Claims (8)

claims. CLAIMS

1. A metal baking tray characterised in that it comprises a frame of steel and of a profile or cross-section providing an inwardly-directed gap, said frame surrounding a product-supporting sheet of aluminium, the peripheral edge of the sheet locating into the gap of the frame.

2. A baking tray as clalmed in claim 1 which further includes a second product-supporting sheet, the two sheets being located by both of their peripheral edges locating in the gap of the frame.

3. A baking tray as clalmed in clalm 2 wherein one of the two product-supporting sheets is formed with a plurality of cups or depressions the bottoms of which abut the underside of the other sheet.

4. A baking tray as clalmed in claim 3 wherein the peripheral edges of the two sheets are separated from one another, the frame being of C-shaped profile or cross-section for the two peripheral edges to locate therein.

5. A baking tray as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exposed surfaces of the sheet have a non-stick treatment.

6. A baking tray as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is aluminised.

7. A baking tray as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame includes a detachable section removal of which permits withdrawal of the sheet or sheets for maintenance and/or replacement.

8. A baking tray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, or in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawing.