Foods and beverages: apparatus – Edible laminated product making apparatus – Means forming or reshaping plural sheets or webs
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-19
2001-10-16
Simone, Timothy F. (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Edible laminated product making apparatus
Means forming or reshaping plural sheets or webs
C099S450600, C099S450700, C425S112000, C425S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302013
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Research and development of the present invention and application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for producing ravioli and particularly to an apparatus for providing reliable mechanical cut-off between filler deposits, improved sealing of product and the capability to use different types of fillings such as thicker and chunkier types.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR §§ 1.97-1.98
The prior art includes machines for automatically forming pastry such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,441 and pie or ravioli filling apparatus such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,844,142, 2,001,792 and 2,774,313 to Lombi which disclose a somewhat more relevant apparatus for ravioli manufacturing. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,218 discloses a machine for making ravioli and an improved fill mechanism which is basically the standard for the industry. Another relevant prior art patent is applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,589 which discloses apparatus for producing specialty ravioli configurations.
The original design of filling tube assembly was to remain stationary at a very close distance from the ravioli forming die. This created “drag” of filling product across the sealing area. Later an improved version of that design was developed that allowed the nozzle to “rock” back and forth. This would create a break between deposits as the nozzle came in alignment with the ravioli die filling pockets. This design can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,281 issued Jul. 18, 1989 entitled Machine Ravioli Having an Improved Fill Mechanism. However, this design works well at slower speeds. Once you increase the speed of the machine there is loss of control at higher limits.
This application represents a new and improved ravioli making apparatus wherein a rotary valve assembly is connected to the filling tubes. The assembly includes a stainless steel shaft with pockets which match the pockets in the ravioli die. The rotary valve is driven and synchronized with the gearing shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,218 providing unique advantages over the prior art apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for producing ravioli and particularly to a filling depositor for producing ravioli with thick or chunky fillings. The subject depositor is also advantageous for conventional fillings since it provides a true positive break between indexed deposits from a filler pump and can operate at high speeds.
The filling depositor comprises a rotary valve assembly connected to the filling tubes, which are fed by a positive displacement gear pump. The rotary valve assembly includes a rotary valve which is driven and synchronized with the gearing of the ravioli machine. Thus it can be offered as an upgrade on existing machines from different manufacturers.
The rotary valve has openings machined into it to match the shape of the ravioli forming die. In the case of a square shaped ravioli die, which has ten (10) square pockets across the die face or ten (10) columns and five (5) rows about the circumference, the rotary valve shaft would have two (2) rows of ten (10) square pockets along the length of the shaft at 180° apart. The stainless steel shaft rides in a plastic housing that has openings on two (2) sides. One side has ten (10) simple round openings which allow the filling fed by the pump to enter the ten (10) shaft cavities. The opposite side of the plastic housing includes ten (10) simple slots corresponding to the filling deposit inside of the filled ravioli. The shaft is rotated into alignment with the ravioli die to provide the desired filling and appropriate cut-off at a high speed.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved depositor assembly for ravioli machines.
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved high speed depositor for ravioli machines which can provide thick and chunk fillings.
A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved depositor which provides a true positive break between indexed deposits from the filler pump.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved depositor which may be driven and synchronized with existing ravioli machines.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved ravioli depositor which comprises a rotary valve assembly having a shaft with openings matching the pockets of the ravioli die which is then rotated in synchronization with the ravioli die to fill the pockets therein and provide a positive cut-off.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1844142 (1932-02-01), Barili
patent: 2001792 (1935-05-01), Lombi
patent: 2227728 (1941-01-01), Lombi
patent: 2774313 (1956-12-01), Lombi
patent: 2905105 (1959-09-01), Lombi
patent: 3373702 (1968-03-01), Quilici et al.
patent: 3605641 (1971-09-01), Shuster
patent: 3930441 (1976-01-01), Ohkawa
patent: 4160634 (1979-07-01), Huang
patent: 4848218 (1989-07-01), Battaglia
patent: 4941402 (1990-07-01), D'Alterio
patent: 5010807 (1991-04-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 5590589 (1997-01-01), Battaglia
Joel, Esq. Richard A.
Simone Timothy F.
LandOfFree
Filling depositor for ravioli machines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Filling depositor for ravioli machines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Filling depositor for ravioli machines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595650