METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ELONGATE FOODSTUFFS

Abstract

A method for producing elongate foodstuff, such as noodles and pasta, in which dough is mixed, and the mixed dough is compressed between pair of rollers (4, 4), wherein the mixed dough is fed between single pair of rollers (4, 4) for compression, and the dough passed between the pair of rollers is lead back between the pair of rollers with at least two belt conveyers (6, 7). Also disclosed is an apparatus (1) implementing such a method.

Claims

1. A method for producing elongate foodstuff, such as noodles and pasta, in which dough is mixed, and the mixed dough is compressed between pair of rollers (4, 4), in which the mixed dough is fed between single pair of rollers (4, 4) for compression, and the dough passed between the pair of rollers is lead back between the said pair of rollers with at least two belt conveyers (6, 7), wherein the compression of dough between the said pair of rollers (4, 4) takes place in two stages, wherein in the first stage the dough is compressed and elongated by the pair of rollers to form a continuous belt of dough passing through the pair of rollers, and in second stage the first conveyer belt (6) after the pair of rollers is moved at least partially away from the pair of rollers leaving part of the length of the continuous belt of dough hanging while the belt of dough continues to be compressed between the pair of rollers, and simultaneously a gradual decreasing of the distance between the rollers of the pair of rollers is started.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein after the second compression stage the continuous belt of dough is cut transversely in relation to the length direction of the continuous belt of dough against one of the rollers (4) of the pair of rollers (4, 4) with a cutter (5).

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein after the cutting of the continuous belt of dough the belt of dough is cut lengthwise to strips.

4. An apparatus (1) for producing elongate foodstuff, such as noodles and pasta, which apparatus comprises a pair of rollers (4, 4) for compressing mixed dough between the rollers, which apparatus comprises at least two belt conveyers (6, 7) for conveying the compressed and elongated dough back between the pair of rollers (4, 4), wherein the first belt conveyer (6) after the pair of rollers (4, 4) is fixed at least partly movably to the apparatus for moving the belt conveyer away from the pair of rollers.

5. An apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rollers of the pair of rollers (4, 4) are fixed adjustably to the apparatus (1) for adjusting the distance between the rollers during the operation of the apparatus.

6. An apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a mixing vessel (2) and mixing means (3) for producing the mixed dough for the compression.

7. An apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a cutter (5) for cutting the compressed and elongated dough against one of the rollers (4, 4).

8. An apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises cutting means (8, 8) for cutting the compressed and elongated dough lengthwise to strips.

9. An apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a mixing vessel (2) and mixing means (3) for producing the mixed dough for the compression.

10. An apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a cutter (5) for cutting the compressed and elongated dough against one of the rollers (4, 4).

11. An apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a cutter (5) for cutting the compressed and elongated dough against one of the rollers (4, 4).

12. An apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a cutter (5) for cutting the compressed and elongated dough against one of the rollers (4, 4).

Description

[0021] Exemplifying embodiment of the invention and its advantages are explained in greater detail below in the sense of example and with reference to accompanying drawings, where

[0022] FIGS. 1A-1C shows schematically an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

[0023] In the FIGS. 1A-1C showing an embodiment of an apparatus 1 of the present invention, FIG. 1A shows the apparatus as an end view, FIG. 1B shows cross-section of the apparatus along line A-A shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C shows the apparatus as a perspective view. In the figures the apparatus 1 is shown without supporting encasing in order to show the inner parts of the apparatus.

[0024] The apparatus 1 comprises a mixing vessel 2 with mixing means 3 consisting of a shaft with protrusions inside the vessel for mixing dough such as noodle or pasta dough. In the mixing vessel 2 flour and other dry substances of the dough to be mixed are mixed with liquid or semi-liquid materials, such as water and raw eggs for example, with the mixing means 3. The mixing vessel 2 and the mixing means 3 are removably attached to the apparatus 1, so that they can be easily detached from the apparatus and washed.

[0025] Once the mixed dough is ready, the bottom of the mixing vessel 2 formed of two hinged hatches is opened, in order to allow the ready mixed dough to drop on pair of rotating rollers 4, 4. The mixed dough passes between the rotating pair of rollers 4, 4, which compresses and elongates the mixed dough by their rotating movement and thus forces the mixed dough between the rollers. After the pair of rollers 4, 4 is a plate member 5, which leads the end of the compressed and elongated dough passed between the pair of rollers on a first belt conveyer 6. The first belt conveyer 6 moves the end of the compressed and elongated dough on to a second belt conveyer 7. The distant end of the first belt conveyer 6 turns around the end of the second belt conveyer 7, and the belts of belt conveyers 6 and 7 are in contact with each other or the surfaces of the belts are very close to each other in this area. This allows the end of the compressed and mixed dough to be turned on the second belt conveyer 7. The second belt conveyer 7 then moves the end of the compressed mixed dough back between the pair of rollers 4, 4 for further compression. This process continues until a continuous ring of compressed mixed dough is formed that rotates from between the pair of rollers 4, 4 through first belt conveyer 6 and second belt conveyer 7 back to between the pair of rollers. In cases of coarse and lumpy mixed dough, such as noodles dough, it may take several rounds of rotating and compressing the mixed dough parts between the pair of rollers 4, 4 for the continuous and uniform belt ring of dough to be formed.

[0026] In the embodiment of the figures the first belt conveyer 6 is equipped with a suitable tightening roller 10. The tightening roller 10 is connected to the frame of the apparatus through elastic members, such as spring members for example, so that the surfaces of the first belt conveyer 6 and the second belt conveyer 7 may move towards each other and away from each other when the compressed mixed dough or parts of it passes between these surfaces and are moved from the first belt conveyer on to the second belt conveyer, depending on the thickness of the compressed mixed dough.

[0027] Once the continuous belt of dough is formed and the dough has been compressed between the pair of rollers 4, 4 for suitable length of time, the first end of the first belt conveyer 6 is moved a distance away from the pair of rollers. This movement leaves the belt of dough at first hanging on at least a portion of the distance between roller 4 and the first end of the second belt conveyer 7, and thus provides a longer track for the continuous belt of dough to rotate. Simultaneously a gradual decrease of the distance between the rollers 4, 4 is started, which gradually thins and lengthens the continuous belt of dough, which will gradually starts to make use of the longer track.

[0028] After this change of position of the first belt conveyer 6 and the start of the gradual decrease of the rollers 4, 4, the compression and rotation of the belt of dough is continued for suitable length of time.

[0029] Once the formed belt of dough is ready compressed and elongated, the plate member 5 is turned in position, where its sharpened upper end presses against roller 4 and cuts the belt of dough along its width, and the lower end of the plate member is placed so that the plate member lead the cut belt of dough between a pair of rollers 8, 8. Thus the sharpened upper end of the plate member 5 operates as a cutter. The rollers 8, 8 are preferably removable, so that the apparatus 1 may be used also to produce sheets of compressed dough, such as pasta sheets.

[0030] The outer surface of roller 8 is formed with protrusions, which cut the belt of dough in strips along the length of the belt of dough, when the belt of dough passes between the rollers 8, 8.

[0031] After the compression stages the thickness of the produced elongated foodstuff is about 1.5 mm, for example. The gradual decrease of the distance between the rollers 4, 4 may take the distance finally to or the starting distance, which starting distance between the rollers may thus be 9 mm.

[0032] The adjustability of distance between rollers 4 and 4 is implemented in this embodiment by rotating the rollers on shafts which are eccentrically connected to the frame of the apparatus 1, so that by turning the eccentrically connected shafts the rotational center axis of both of the rollers may be moved towards or away from each other.

[0033] The operation time of the machine from the introduction of the mixed dough to the rollers 4, 4 to the exit of the ready compressed and cut elongate foodstuff may be about 10 minutes for example, from which the first compression stage is about 3 minutes for example.

[0034] The operating power for the apparatus in this embodiment is provided with an electric motor 9, and the power is transferred to operating elements of the apparatus via belts.

[0035] The cleaning of the embodiment of the figures is easily carried out by opening hatch or hatches on the outer surface the apparatus, which hatch/hatches allow access to the rotating rollers and moving belts. Thus the cleaning can be implemented by setting suitable cleaning instrument, such as a brush or cloth for example, against the rotating members and moving belts when the apparatus is running.

[0036] The use of the embodiment shown in the figures is preferably automated, so that only the materials according to the recipe of the dough of the product to be produced needs to be added in the mixing vessel, after which the apparatus is turned on. Selection for the amount to be produced, the thickness of the product to be produced and whether the product to be produced is in form of strips or sheets may also be included. This will lead to ready-made noodles or pasta in desired amount after required operating time of the apparatus which may depend on the selections made.

[0037] The specific exemplifying embodiment of the invention shown in figures and discussed above should not be construed as limiting. A person skilled in the art can amend and modify the embodiment in many evident ways within the scope of the attached claims. Thus the invention is not limited merely to the embodiments described above.