초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for mixing and forming dough into plural discrete product units on a carrier and storing the ready to bake product, and a vending method and apparatus for separating the product from the carrier, baking the product and delivering the product, such as cookies or the like, to a

A method and apparatus for mixing and forming dough into plural discrete product units on a carrier and storing the ready to bake product, and a vending method and apparatus for separating the product from the carrier, baking the product and delivering the product, such as cookies or the like, to a customer. The mixed dough is formed into units, typically disk-like, and placed in a pattern on one or more first carrier sheets, then second carriers are applied with the product laminated between the sheets. The sheets and product can be fan-folded into containers, such as conventional boxes, which can be stored until needed. The containers are placed in a vending machine which leads the sheet assemblies to a station where the carrier sheets are removed and the product is dropped onto a surface that is moved through a convection oven for baking, then through a cooling station. The selected number of product units is dropped into a serving tray and presented to the customer. Typically, each baking cycle is initiated by the deposit of a selected amount of money into the vending machine and the purchaser is notified that the freshly baked product is ready by a buzzer or the like.

대표청구항 ▼

The system for preparing, storing, baking and delivering a plurality of food product units which comprises: mixing means for mixing a quantity dough comprising ingredients selected to produce a desired dough-based food product upon baking; means for preforming said dough into a plurality of discrete

The system for preparing, storing, baking and delivering a plurality of food product units which comprises: mixing means for mixing a quantity dough comprising ingredients selected to produce a desired dough-based food product upon baking; means for preforming said dough into a plurality of discrete food product units; means for directing said product units onto a first sheet in a selected spaced pattern; means for laminating a second sheet over said product units; means for placing a selected length of said laminated sheets into a shipping container; cutting means for transversely cutting said sheets when a selected quantity of said product units are in said container; a vending machine including means for receiving said container; feed means for feeding said laminated sheet out of said container; stripping means for separating said sheets from a selected number of product units; a movable belt for receiving said separated product units; a convection oven; belt moving means for moving said belt through and beyond said oven at a rate selected to allow said product to bake while in said oven; cooling means adjacent to said belt beyond said oven to cool the resulting baked product units to a selected temperature; and delivery means to move the resulting baked food product units to a delivery area.