Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
  • A21B—BAKERS' OVENS; MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING
  • A21B5/00—Baking apparatus for special goods; Other baking apparatus
  • A21B5/02—Apparatus for baking hollow articles, waffles, pastry, biscuits, or the like
  • A21B5/023—Hinged moulds for baking waffles

Definitions

• the invention relates to a baking mold for manufacturing moldings, comprising a lower baking section mounted on a lower arm and an upper baking section mounted on an upper arm, with the baking sections in superposed position in the closed position of the baking mold defining at least one baking form.
• baking molds which comprise two baking platens or like baking sections which fit onto each other.
• the baking platens are each fixedly connected with a closing arm, so that the baking mold can simply be closed by moving the closing arms towards each other. Between the baking platens an amount of dough is provided, whereafter the baking platens are pressed onto each other and are passed into a wafer baking oven.
• the wafers After the wafers have been baked, they are removed from between the baking platens and the baking mold is filled with dough again.
• the baking of the moldings in particular as a result of moisture issuing from the dough, an increase in pressure arises between the baking platens, so that the baking platens are pressed apart slightly.
• the heating of the mold parts gives rise to deformation of the baking platens and the closing arms, which also creates more space between the land areas of the baking platens.
• baking molds has the advantage that wafers can be baked in a semicontinuous or continuous process, so that a high production of a constant quality can be obtained.
• the pressures arising between the baking platens and the temperatures required for baking the wafers are of such a nature that the closing force required for the baking mold is relatively low.
• the dough can to some extent flow away between the baking platens, so that any overpressure is prevented.
• the wafers are post-treated, for instance by cutting, applying a coating and stacking, with the redundant material being cut off, with the result that at least on the sides of the wafers the baking skin is damaged.
• the closing arms comprise stiffening ribs which take up the pressures arising and at least partially prevent deformations, so that in principle the baking mold remains closed during the baking process .
• these stiffening ribs in order to be able to provide sufficient closing force, must be made of such heavy and rigid construction that the stresses arising in the baking mold become unacceptably high, a high risk of fracture exists and the closure of the mold requires much force.
• a baking mold designed in this manner is heavy and difficult to handle and the further equipment required for the baking process must be made of a correspondingly heavy construction. Further, heating a heavy baking mold requires relatively much energy.
• the baking mold according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the baking sections is movably connected to the corresponding arm, and pressure means are included for pressing on the baking sections under bias in the closed condition of the baking mold and thus closing the baking form at least during normal use.
• the baking mold according to the invention can be made of considerably lighter construction in its entirety, so that the oven to be used can also be of lighter design and the baking mold is easier to handle, with the associated advantages.
• the bias is adjustable by means of the pressure means, which adjustment is preferably possible at least at room temperature.
• the adjustability of the bias it is possible to control the closing force which is exerted on the baking sections, depending, for instance, on the expected maximum dough mass in the baking form, at any rate under normal operating conditions, the maximum temperature and pressure during the baking process, the associated expected deformations of the mold parts such as the closing arms and the baking sections, and the maximum allowable space between the land areas of the baking sections.
• the optimum closing force can always be set, for instance in the production of different moldings and when using baking sections of different dimensions and at different operating temperatures. Setting the bias at room temperature then has an important advantage in that no special provisions need to be made for the protection of the persons who are to implement the setting operation.
• each pressure means comprises a number of superposed cup springs and a pressure member, while each pressure member can be pressed against the corresponding baking section by means of the springs .
• Each pressure means comprises an adjusting ring and an adjusting sleeve, while the adjusting sleeve is fixedly connected to one of the closing arms, the pressure member comprises a shank extending through the adjusting ring, while the springs are confined around the shank between the pressure member and the adjusting ring, the pressure member being movable relative to the adjusting sleeve in such a manner that thereby the space occupied by the springs can be increased or reduced, while the adjusting ring is movable within the adjusting sleeve, in such a manner that thereby the distance between the corresponding baking section and the adjusting ring can be increased or reduced.
• At least a part of the bias applied to the relevant baking section can be set by displacement of the adjusting ring within the adjusting sleeve while the pressure member is in abutment with the baking section.
• the stacked cup springs are thereby compressed to a greater or lesser extent between the pressure member and the adjusting ring.
• This provides the so-called set-up bias. If a greater pressure is exerted on the baking section in the direction of the relevant arm than is exerted by the springs in the pressure means, the baking section is displaced in the direction of the arm, whereby the springs are further compressed.
• an optimum closing force is obtained.
• the adjusting ring comprises at the top thereof an upright collar arranged concentrically relative to the shank, and the shank is so long that the top end thereof is approximately level with the upper end of the adjusting ring when the number of springs in question are in relaxed condition.
• a closing ring Placed on the collar is a closing ring through which an adjustment bolt has been inserted which can be connected to the top of the shank.
• a filler ring can be included having a central opening which is smaller than the diameter of the shank but permits the adjustment bolt to pass.
• the shank When tightening the adjustment bolt, the shank is drawn in the direction of the closing ring, until the filler ring is clamped between the closing ring and the end of the shank. Simultaneously, the springs are slightly compressed, so that a premounting bias is provided in the pressure means.
• the difference between the height of the collar and the thickness of the filler ring is determinative of this premounting bias: if the filler ring has a thickness which corresponds to the height of the collar, then the premounting bias is minimal; if the filler ring is omitted, the premounting bias is maximal.
• the premounting bias has the advantage that it is simple to provide and is simple to set, even when the pressure means has not yet been arranged in the mold. Moreover, the premounting bias remains present in the pressure means, even after repeated opening of the mold.
• the pressure means comprise at least one elastically deformable spring arm which during use is connected by at least one end to the lower and/or upper arm, a central portion of the spring arm bearing on a side of a baking section remote from the baking form, the spring arm being slightly deformed in such a manner that the spring arm applies a bias to the baking section in the closing direction of the baking mold.
• This embodiment of the baking mold according to the invention is of particularly simple construction. The bias is determined by the extent of deformation of the spring arm.
• the baking sections which define the baking form are brought into a fixed position relative to each other and thus maintained by means of the closing arms and a mold closing mechanism which fixes the closing arms in a closed position.
• the known baking mold will spring open by failure of the mold closing mechanism, or one of the mold parts will break.
• the mold cannot be closed.
• the baking mold according to the invention comprises an overpressure protection which is so arranged that if, in the closed condition of the baking mold, the pressure between the baking sections exceeds a pre-set value, the baking sections are pressed apart without the baking mold thereby being opened. Because at least one baking section is movably connected, the baking sections, provided the bias is properly set, can be pushed apart in case of overpressure without the mold parts thereby being pressed apart. Further, in case of soiling of a land area, the mold can still be closed. Therefore the baking mold in question can be normally passed further through the oven and into a removal station. When opening the baking mold for removing the baked moldings, the superfilled or soiled baking mold too can be emptied before it is filled again with dough and passed back into the oven. Neither the oven nor the baking process need be stopped at any time during this operation.
• each baking section is limited at least in the closing direction by a stroke limiter which is arranged so that even in the opened condition of the mold the pressure means transmit a part of the bias to the relevant baking section.
• a stroke limiter which is arranged so that even in the opened condition of the mold the pressure means transmit a part of the bias to the relevant baking section.
• each movable baking section will move maximally in the direction remote from the corresponding arm in order to obtain a minimal stress in the pressure means.
• each movable baking section makes a closing stroke for achieving the desired closing tension.
• a stroke limiter By limiting this stroke by means of a stroke limiter in such a manner that each movable baking section cannot move away maximally from the corresponding arm, a part of the set-up bias remains present in the pressure means, so that for closing the mold much force needs to be applied at least for a less long time and moreover the life of the different mold and oven parts is prolonged due to loads varying less in magnitude, which is of major importance in particular at the conventional operating temperatures.
• the use of such a stroke limiter moreover has the advantage that the positioning of the two baking sections relative to each other is rendered possible in a simpler manner, for instance by means of centering pins.
• the stroke limiter makes it possible to suspend the baking sections for slight movement in the plane perpendicular to the closing direction as well, so that undue wear of the centering pins and the baking sections is moreover avoided.
• the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing moldings based on a starch product utilizing a baking mold according to the invention, in which in an at least semicontinuous process a dough based on a starch product is prepared and introduced into an opened baking mold, the baking mold is closed and is passed into or through an oven, so that the molding is baked, whereupon the baked molding is removed from the baking form and the baking mold is filled again.
• a bias in the closing direction is applied to at least one of the baking sections.
• the bias desired during use for closing the baking mold is set, in such a manner that, at least when a maximum allowable pressure between the baking sections is exceeded, the baking sections are pressed apart without damage to the baking mold and/or oven parts, in such a manner that no overpressure arises in the baking mold and the baking mold is not prematurely opened.
• Fig. 1 shows in side elevation a baking mold according to the invention in closed position
• Fig. 2 shows the baking mold according to Fig. 1 in opened position
• Fig. 3 shows a pressure means according to the invention in partial section, with the baking mold in opened position
• Fig. 4 shows a pressure means according to the invention in partial section, with the baking mold in closed position
• Fig. 5 shows central longitudinal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a baking mold according to the invention, in closed position
• Fig. 6 shows the baking mold according to Fig. 5 in opened position; and Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show a stroke limiter in three successive closing stages of the baking sections.
• the baking mold 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a lower arm 2 and an upper arm 3, a lower baking section 4 and an upper baking section 5.
• the upper arm 3 can be swung relative to the lower arm 2 about a pivot 6, from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to the opened position shown in Fig. 2 vice versa.
• the upper baking section 5 is movably connected to the upper arm 3 by means of a number of pressure means 7, for instance six, and the lower baking section 4, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is fixedly connected to the lower arm 2 but may also be connected thereto via pressure means 7.
• the pressure means 7 exert such a force on the baking section 5 that the baking form formed by the two baking sections 5, 6 is closed and remains closed, in any case during normal use.
• Figs. 3 and 4 show in partly sectional view a pressure means 7, which comprises an adjusting sleeve 8, an adjusting ring 9, a pressure member 10 and a number of cup springs 11.
• the adjusting sleeve 8 is fixedly connected to an arm 3 of the baking mold 1, and is provided with internal screw thread 12.
• the adjusting ring 9 is provided with external screw thread 13 which can cooperate with the internal screw thread 12 of the adjusting sleeve 8.
• the adjusting ring 9 can be turned within the adjusting sleeve 8 in such a manner that the end face 14 of the adjusting ring 9 proximal to the baking section 5 can be moved in the direction of the relevant baking section 5, as well as in the opposite direction.
• the adjusting ring 9 is provided with a locking slot 31 which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the adjusting ring 9 and preferably has a greater depth than the radius of the adjusting ring 9. Fitted from the top of the adjusting ring 9 is a locking screw 27, by means of which the height of the locking slot 31 can be adjusted.
• the pressure element 10 comprises a pressure plate 15 and a shank 16 which extends from the pressure plate 15 through the adjusting ring 9 along the centerline L of the adjusting sleeve 8 and adjusting ring 9. Between the pressure plate 15 and the end face 14 of the adjusting ring 9 proximal to the pressure plate, an appropriate number of stacked cup springs 11 are arranged over the shank 16.
• the shank 16 has a length such that at the given number of mounted, tension-free cup springs 11 and with the shank 16 slipped through the adjusting ring 9, the end 17 of the shank 16 remote from the pressure plate 15 is approximately level with the upper end 21 of the adjusting ring 9.
• the adjusting ring 9 On its upper end 21, the adjusting ring 9 comprises an upright collar 28 which on the outside defines a square and on the inside is provided with a recess 29 provided concentrically relative to the shank.
• a filler ring 30 is placeable which has a central opening which is smaller than the section of the end 17 of the shank 16 but can permit an adjustment bolt 18 to pass.
• a closing ring 19 is mounted on the shank 16, in such a manner that the shank 16 cannot be removed from the adjusting ring 9 without removing the closing ring 19 or the pressure plate 15.
• the filler ring 30 is locked within the collar 28 between the shank 16 and the closing ring 19, and the closing ring 19 has a cross-section such that in mounted condition it can abut against the top of the collar 28.
• the premounting bias can vary between 0 N (when omitting the filler ring 30) and 5000 N (when mounting a filler ring 30 of a thickness of 10 mm) .
• the pressure plate 15 is locked in a closing bearing 20 which is fixedly connected with the baking section 5.
• the closing bearing 20 may optionally allow rotation of the pressure plate 15 about the centerline L of the shank 16 but prevents translating movements of the pressure plate 15 relative to the baking section 5.
• the baking mold comprises at least two sets of rollers 26 by which the baking mold can be moved over a set of guiding rails extending, for instance, through an oven, while on the side of the closing mechanism 24, represented in highly simplified manner in the drawing, at the top thereof, a closing roller 25 is arranged, by which the baking mold can be guided along a closing rail, fixedly arranged in the oven, for the purpose of opening and closing the baking mold.
• the two baking sections are pressed tightly against each other during use, always at the same closing force. Because the baking sections are fixedly connected with the mold parts that provide the closing force, deformations of these mold parts, for instance as a consequence of heating, excessive pressures in the mold, wear of mold components or deviations of a different kind, will have a direct influence on the closure of the two baking sections, i.e. on the relative location of the land areas of the baking sections and hence on the quality of the end product.
• the known mold is particularly heavy, certainly if the high temperatures and pressures referred to are to be resisted, and unacceptably high stresses arise in the mold parts, so that the risk of fracture with the associated disadvantages is particularly high.
• the tolerances normally achieved with baking molds are therefore not adequate for the manufacture of moldings which are not to be aftertreated, such a biodegradable dishes and the like. Therefore, in the baking mold according to the invention, it has been chosen not to deliberately make the baking mold 1, 101, 210 at least partly of such stiff construction that deformations are always prevented.
• the force required for the closure of the baking form is at least substantially provided by the pressure means which are biased in the closing direction.
• At least one of the baking sections 4, 5, 104, 105, 204, 205 is movable relative to the associated arm 2, 3, 102, 103, 203 in the closing direction, so that any deformation of, for instance, one of the arms 2, 3, 102, 103, 203 is simply compensated without the baking sections 4, 5, 104, 105, 204, 205 being pushed further apart.
• the baking mold 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 can be used as follows, for instance in a travelling-tray oven, a circular oven or a like oven for baking wafers and other moldings .
• the process conditions Prior to baking the moldings, the process conditions are determined. For instance, it is calculated how much dough per cycle is to be introduced into the mold, how much moisture the dough must contain for the desired flow pattern, what the necessary baking temperature and baking time are, what pressures will result therefrom between the baking sections, particularly as a result of steam evolution due to water evaporating from the dough, and what deformations will arise as a result of the heating of the baking mold. On the basis of the process data it is determined at what pressure the baking sections are to be closed in order to obtain a final product with the desired properties.
• the baking mold preferably in cold condition, is set for use. This involves setting the bias, composed of a premounting bias and a set-up bias.
• the premounting bias is set as follows . At each pressure element 10 a suitable number of cup springs 11 are slid over the shank 16 and then the shank 16 is slipped through the adjusting ring 9. At the upper end 17 of the shank 16, a filler ring 30 of a suitable thickness is placed in the recess 29 and then the closing ring 19 is fixed by means of the adjustment bolt 18, the filler ring 30 being clamped between the shank 16 and the closing ring 19, and the springs are compressed, so that the premounting bias is obtained. As already stated, the thicker the filler ring 30, the lower the premounting bias. The closing ring 19 further prevents the shank 16 from falling from the adjusting ring 9 when opening the mold.
• the set-up bias is set as follows.
• Each pressure element 10, provided with the desired premounting bias, is connected with the relevant arm 2, 3 by screwing the adjusting ring 9 into the adjusting sleeve 8.
• the mold 1 is closed and the adjusting ring 9 is screwed into the adjusting sleeve 8 until the pressure plate 15 just abuts the relevant baking section 4, 5. This provides a connection between the baking section and the arm without set-up bias.
• the adjusting ring 9 is screwed further in the direction of the baking section 5.
• the pressure element 10 is pressed back, so that the closing ring 19 comes off the collar 28 and the cup springs 11 are compressed further.
• the desired set-up bias is obtained.
• the retaining screw 27 is tightened, so that the adjusting ring 9 is deformed so that it can no longer turn relative to the adjusting sleeve 8.
• the setting of the set-up bias can be clearly understood.
• the cup springs 11 are compressed, so that a set-up bias is obtained in the pressure means 7.
• the shank 16 is thereby pressed further through the adjusting ring 9, which gives rise to the distance ⁇ between the upper end 21 thereof, remote from the end face 14 of the adjusting ring 9, and the underside 22 of the closing ring 19 proximal to that upper end 21 (Fig. 4) .
• the magnitude of the distance i is a direct measure for the extent of compression of the cup springs 11 and hence for the magnitude of the set-up bias in the pressure means 7 in question.
• the pressure means according to the invention have a number of particular advantages.
• the set-up bias measure ⁇ is independent of, for instance, the thickness of the baking sections 4 and 5, respectively, any wear that may have developed and like factors.
• the set-up measure i. is independent of the distance between the arm 2 and 3, respectively, and the baking section 4 and 5, respectively; if the baking section in question is, for instance, thinner than is usual, this means only that the adjusting ring 9 will be turned further into the adjusting sleeve 8 before the position is reached where the cup springs 11 without set-up bias are confined between the pressure plate 15 and the adjusting ring 9.
• a further advantage of the pressure means 7 according to the invention is that if the baking form has accidentally not been emptied after completion of a cycle, and hence at the beginning of a next cycle a new amount of dough is introduced into the baking mold 1 while it is still filled, this has no particularly adverse consequences for the entire baking process, as is the case with the known baking molds.
• the baking form is provided with a double amount of dough, whether or not in partly baked condition, then in the known molds the pressure in the baking form rises to an unallowable extent. This means that if the baking mold can be closed then, fracture of mold parts will occur and/or the baking mold will spring open and otherwise the baking mold will remain open. In all cases, the baking oven comes to a standstill, so that the moldings in the baking molds in the oven will bake on, which makes subsequent cleaning requisite. Prior to that, the oven must first cool off, with all the consequences of production and energy loss.
• the two baking sections 4, 5 are pressed further apart, against the bias produced by the springs, so that the interspace between the land areas of the baking sections 4, 5 increases and thereby overpressure is prevented. This in turn prevents the occurrence of fracture of mold parts and moreover prevents the baking mold from opening prematurely.
• the double filled baking form is also emptied in the usual manner and again filled with a single load of dough. Accordingly, the oven need not be stopped at any time, so that only the contents of one baking mold in two cycles are lost, rather than the production of all baking molds during the time in which a large number of cycles could have been implemented. In particular with baking ovens with a large number of baking molds, this is of particularly great importance.
• the baking mold can still be closed, so that the production process need not be stopped for cleaning the baking mold.
• the baking mold 1 according to the invention can be made of lighter and simpler construction, so that the oven to be used can be made of lighter design as well.
• heating this baking mold requires less energy than heating the known baking molds. As a result, a considerable saving of costs is realized, both in purchase and in the use of a wafer baking oven according to the invention.
• Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the baking mold 101 according to the invention, where, in comparison with the above described baking mold 1 (Figs. 1 and 2), the upper pressure means 7 have been replaced by an elastically deformable spring arm 107 and the lower baking section 105 is connected to the lower arm 102 by means of the above described pressure means 7.
• the spring arm 107 is pivotally connected to the pivot axis 106, which movably connects the lower arm 102 to the upper arm 103.
• the spring arm 107 When the baking mold 101 is pressed shut, the spring arm 107, and in particular the central portion 123, is elastically deformed to some extent, so that a press-on force is exerted on the upper baking section 105 in the closing direction of the baking mold 101.
• This embodiment of a baking mold according to the invention has the advantage that it is of particularly simple construction, while yet the above-mentioned overpressure protection is maintained. Because the lower baking section 104 is connected to the lower arm 102 by means of the above-described pressure means 7, the bias can be set.
• Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the baking mold 201 according to the invention, in which the upper baking section 205 is suspended from the upper arm 203 for floating movement, by means of a provision comprising a stroke limiter 232, in three successive closing stages of the baking sections 204, 205. Due to the floating suspension, the centering of the two baking sections is simple to realize without giving rise to undue loading and wear of the baking mold.
• the stroke limiter 232 consists of a slotted plate 233 fixedly connected with the arm 203 and a pin plate 234 fixedly connected with the baking section 205.
• the slotted plate 233 and the pin plate 234 can move along each other in a plane parallel to the closing direction.
• the slotted plate 233 comprises a slot 235 having a slightly curved contour with its convex side proximal to the pivot 206, while the pin plate 234 comprises a pin 236 extending from the pin plate 234 at right angles to the closing direction in the slot 235 with a proper guided fit.
• the contour of the slot 235 is such that the pivotal movement of the mold arm 203 about the pivot axis 206 is converted into a (vertical) translation of the baking section 205, so that the baking sections 204 and 205 during closing and opening of the baking mold 201 are moved relative to each other in such a manner that the two baking sections are in exact alignment . This is of great importance in particular when manufacturing products which are to be ready for use directly upon removal from the baking mold, i.e.
• the slot 235 at the lower end thereof, is provided with an end cavity 237 in which the pin 236 is received when the mold is open. Then the pressure means 7, 107 still transmit a part of the bias to the baking section 205.
• This stroke limiter 232 connects the movable baking section with the relevant arm at all times and moreover has the advantage that the maximum stroke of the baking section relative to the arm remains limited.
• the springs in the pressure means are not maximally but only partly relieved when the mold is opened. Due to this reduction in the change in the load on the springs, the mechanical load on the mold and in particular on the pressure means is reduced considerably and hence their life is prolonged.
• the baking mold comprises individual heating means, preferably integrated into the baking mold, such as for instance an electric heating coil or a form of liquid heating.
• the baking mold can also be used in a baking apparatus of a different kind, for instance an apparatus in which the baking molds are arranged at least substantially fixedly, with a dough injector and a removal station being moved along the baking molds.
• the pressure means may be of different construction, for instance with screw or leaf springs, more of fewer pressure means can be used, and the closing bearings and stroke limiters together can be replaced by pins extending fom each movable baking section, these pins being each mounted for movement in the closing direction, in a guiding bush fixedly connected to the adjacent arm, the possibility for the pins to move relative to the arm being adjustably limited.
• both the stroke of the baking section can be limited and a connection between the arm and the baking section can be obtained.
• an pressure relief valve may be incorporated.
• the baking mold can for instance comprise two or more upper arms and one lower arm and several baking sections, and the arms may be translatable relative to each other rather than pivotable .
• the baking mold according to the invention also allows wafers and like molded products to be baked at lower temperatures and pressures, whereby the above-mentioned advantages are at least substantially achieved as well, so that the baking mold according to the invention is universally applicable, also in existing baking ovens .

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Baking, Grill, Roasting (AREA)
• Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
• Seeds, Soups, And Other Foods (AREA)
• Press-Shaping Or Shaping Using Conveyers (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19863914

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (5)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1994
  • 1994-03-07 NL NL9400353A patent/NL9400353A/nl not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1995
  • 1995-03-06 DE DE69517479T patent/DE69517479T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1995-03-06 US US08/549,738 patent/US5820907A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1995-03-06 AU AU18251/95A patent/AU1825195A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-03-06 AT AT95910011T patent/ATE193801T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1995-03-06 WO PCT/NL1995/000083 patent/WO1995024128A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1995-03-06 EP EP95910011A patent/EP0700250B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events