TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure pertains to field of food processing equipments. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an automatic and compact apparatus for making chapatti or similar dough products of round shape.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Many people throughout the world, particularly people living in Asia, or of Asiatic origin, make their own dough products on a daily basis for consumption. These dough products are most often in the form of round substantially flat pieces of dough, which are appropriately cooked. Examples of such dough products are chapatti, puri, parantha, roti, nan, panadams and papad to name a few. While chapattis are a traditional food product in several South Asian countries, they are becoming more and more popular in other countries outside of Asia also.

[0004] A chapatti or parantha or puri or roti or other such products (any reference to chapatti herein after shall cover all such food products) is basically an unraised, disc-shaped cooked bread of wheat or any other cereal or their mixture. The moisture content of the uncooked dough used to make a chapatti usually ranges from 35 to 52% by weight. The dimensions of chapattis vary depending on final product or from one region to the other or depending on personal preferences within a region, but are usually between 6 to 22 cm in diameter, and 1 to 5 mm in thickness. The weight of a chapatti is generally from 15 to 40 grams per piece depending upon the size, thickness and ingredients.

[0005] Usually, the housewife makes the dough products which involve the steps of mixing cereal flour and other ingredients with water and kneading to get an appropriate dough, and then using a rolling pin and a flat surface to roll appropriate portions of the dough to the required circular configuration and the desired thickness. The circular dough portions are then cooked appropriately. [0006] In many instances, it is observed that ideal housewives are expected to prepare the dough products, which are of precisely the same diameter and precisely the same thickness and have perfect circularity. This, of course, involves a considerable amount of skill, and also occupies a considerable amount of time, since it is difficult to roll a perfectly circular dough element from a portion of dough.

[0007] Several apparatus and methods are discussed in prior art for preparing the dough products. Most preferred methods are either by mechanical force or by roller die methods.

[0008] In mechanical force technique, force is applied to the dough within two flat surfaces, which presses the dough product and takes a round circular shape. However, this involves/requires considerable care to be taken of the specific proportion of dough so that the chapatti is properly made which can be puffed appropriately. Change of proportion of dough makes the chapatti thick and makes it un-eatable. Further, the prepared chapatti from this method must be consumed in short time else it would be too difficult to eat as it acquires thickness and stiffness, which makes it difficult to consume after a considerable period of time.

[0009] In roller based apparatus, the dough is loaded in hopper which passes on a sheeter and gauge roller where thickness of the chapattis can be adjusted. Further, rotary cutting dies cut the desired size of chapattis. However, there are two main drawbacks of this method. Firstly, as the chapatti is made by using die, it is not possible to change its size. Secondly, the dough that remains after stamping out of chapattis needs to be recycled back quickly else it leads to wastage. Also more pertinently, these kinds of apparatus are mostly used for large scale set ups. It is not feasible to prepare small quantities of chapattis where situation so demands or for household consumption.

[00010] Thus, there are a number of prior efforts directed at mechanization of production of round shaped dough products. They either disclose method of preparing round dough product by pressing a ball of dough between two plates - a method that affects quality of end product, or are too complicated to be of use for domestic application. Some others are too specialized and are useful only for making a very specific dough product.

[00011] There is therefore need for an apparatus for making round dough products such as chapatti that is compact, simple to operate and automatic; and that can be used for domestic application and at the same time equally useful for large-scale industrial production. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[00012] It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome disadvantages associated with known art.

[00013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an automatic and compact apparatus for making dough products of circular configuration and desired thickness.

[00014] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for making chapatti and similar dough products in an efficient and hygienic manner.

[00015] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that prevents dough wastage.

[00016] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus with adjustable settings for ease and efficiency in operation.

[00017] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for making chapattis or the like dough products that results in reduced human efforts.

[00018] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that is cost effective and commercially feasible.

[00019] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for making chapattis and the like dough products in uniform desired thickness and circular shape.

[00020] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for making chapattis and the like dough products which can be used not only for large scale industrial production but also for household purposes.

SUMMARY

[00021] The present disclosure relates to an automatic and compact apparatus for making dough products of a circular configuration such as chapatti and other such food products. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an automatic and compact apparatus for making chapatti or similar food articles that can be used for large-scale industrial production and also for household purposes.

[00022] In an embodiment, the present disclosure simulates traditional chapatti rolling action, wherein a rolling pin is subjected to to-and-fro reciprocating motion (also referred to as rolling stroke or stroke of rolling pin or reciprocating stroke of rolling pin and all these terms used interchangeably hereinafter) and simultaneously, dough/dough product is rotated to get a round dough product. In an aspect, to-and-fro reciprocating motion of the rolling pin and rotation of the dough/dough product is synchronized and automated such that rotation of the plate can be at end of each stroke of roller pin and can be few degrees so as to provide equal rolling in all radial directions to get a uniformly round dough product. In another embodiment, length of stroke of rolling pin can be adjusted to reduce or increase to match with size of final product.

[00023] In another embodiment, as the chapatti is rolled, gap between rolling pin and flat surface (also referred to as flat or round flat or plate or round plate or disc and these terms used interchangeably hereinafter) that holds the chapatti is gradually reduced thereby controlling the thickness of the chapatti. In an aspect the reduction in gap is achieved by upward shifting/movement of the plate at end of each stoke of the rolling pin. In another aspect, the gradual reduction in gap between rolling pin and flat surface can stop at pre-set value that can be final thickness of rolled product. In another aspect, a starting gap can be defined that can be starting thickness of the dough and apparatus can incorporate feature to reset the gap to starting gap on completion of making of each chapatti and before start of next one.

[00024] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the roller pin can be dismounted and removed from its mounting position for cleaning and reassembled. In an aspect this enables maintenance of required cleanliness and hygiene.

[00025] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus can be driven /powered by suitable power means such as electric motors of appropriate power. Alternatively the apparatus can be manually driven/ powered.

[00026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. [00028] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of apparatus for chapatti making in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00029] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic arrangement of mechanisms of apparatus for chapatti making in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00030] Figure 2(a) illustrates an exemplary schematic arrangement of cranking mechanism of apparatus for chapatti making in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00031] Figure 2(b) illustrates an exemplary schematic arrangement of mechanism to adjust rolling pin stroke length of apparatus for chapatti making in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00032] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not limited to."

[00033] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[00034] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[00035] The headings and abstract of the disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[00036] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[00037] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[00038] The present disclosure relates to an automatic and compact apparatus for making dough products such as but not restricted to chapatti (reference to chapatti hereinafter refers to all similar food products such puri, parantha, roti, nan, panadams and papad etc.) of circular configuration and, more particularly, to an automatic and compact apparatus for making chapattis or similar food articles.

[00039] In an embodiment, the apparatus of present disclosure includes a rolling pin and a flat surface wherein rolling pin is subjected to to-and-fro reciprocating motion over the flat surface with dough placed between them. Chapatti making apparatus of the present disclosure simulates traditional chapatti rolling action wherein the flat surface on which dough is placed is rotated to expose different radial directions of the dough to rolling action of the rolling pin to get a round dough product. In an aspect, to-and-fro reciprocating motion of the rolling pin and rotation of the dough/dough product is synchronized and automated such that rotation of the plate can be at end of each stroke of roller pin and can be few degrees so as to expose a new radial direction to rolling action of the rolling pin in next rolling stroke.

[00040] In another aspect, the apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a frame, a roller pin connected to a pair of parallel slide bars mounted on the frame, a rotary plate in the frame to receive a ball of dough and a drive mechanism encased in the frame, wherein the drive mechanism helps to run the roller pin along the pair of slide bars to give it a to-and-fro reciprocating motion and rotation of rotary plate wherein when a ball of dough is placed on the roller plate, the dough is pressed by the roller pin during its stroke and extended in size along the direction of rolling. As rotary plate rotates at end of each rolling stroke and takes different position during successive strokes of rolling pin, dough gets rolled to produce round shaped chapatti.

[00041] In an embodiment, to-and-fro reciprocating motion of the rolling pin is achieved by a mechanism such as but not limited to crank mechanism that converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion. The exemplary crank mechanism has a rotating member with eccentrically placed pin that engages with a slot in reciprocating member whose one end is pivoted and other end connected to roller pin. It should be appreciated that any other method of providing to-and- fro reciprocating motion of the rolling pin such as direct electric drive through lead screws, hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement etc can also be provided and all such methods are well within the scope of present disclosure.

[00042] In an embodiment length of stroke of rolling pin can be changed by changing position of the eccentric pin on rotating member i.e. by changing its eccentricity. Higher the eccentricity higher will be the stroke length and vice versa. Thus user can adjust length of stroke of rolling pin to reduce or increase to match with size of final product. Therefore before start of chapatti making user can adjust stroke length to meet his requirement of end product.

[00043] In an aspect, rotation of the plate can be by means of appropriate mechanism such as but not limited to ratchet mechanism actuated by actuating mechanism. Alternatively there could be a separate electric motor to drive the round plate wherein the motor can be activated to provide preset rotation to plate, by proximity switch placed at appropriate location in path of rolling pin.

[00044] In another embodiment, to provide for thinning of chapatti as it is rolled during successive rolling strokes, gap between rolling pin and flat surface that holds the chapatti is gradually reduced by upward shifting/movement of the plate at end of each rolling stroke of rolling pin. In an aspect the upward shifting/movement of the plate at end of each rolling stroke of rolling pin can be by means such as but not limited to a combination of a ratchet mechanism and a cam wherein ratchet is actuated by cranking mechanism. Alternatively there could be a separate electric motor to drive the cam to lift the round plate wherein the motor can be activated by proximity switch placed at appropriate location in path of rolling pin.

[00045] In an embodiment, the gradual reduction in gap between rolling pin and flat surface can stop at pre-set value that can be final thickness of rolled product. In an aspect rolling action with corresponding rotation of the plate can continue for some more cycles after stoppage of action to reduce gap between rolling pin and plate so that final product gets a uniform thickness. [00046] In another embodiment a starting gap between rolling pin and plate can be defined that can be starting thickness of the dough and apparatus can incorporate feature to reset the gap to starting gap on completion of making of each chapatti and before start of next one.

[00047] FIG. l illustrates an exemplary perspective view of chapatti maker 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus comprises a housing 102 generally of rectangular shape that supports and houses various constituent parts of the apparatus. . Two opposite sides of top face of the housing 102 are configured with slide bars 104 one on each side. Each of the slide bars 104 are supported by two supports 112 one at each end of the slide bars 104. Two rolling pin supports 106, one on each side, are slidably configured on these slide bars 104 and are configured to hold two ends of rolling pin 108 such that rolling pin 108 can freely rotate about its axis during rolling action and also can be removed for purpose of cleaning.

[00048] Also configured on top face of the housing 102 is a round plate 110 that can hold ball of dough for rolling for making chapatti. Rolling pin 108 and round platel lO are so configured that there is a gap between bottom of rolling pin 108 and top of round plate 110. In application rolling pin 108 guided by slide bars 104 can move from one end to other traversing over the round plate 110, rolling dough/dough ball placed over the round plate 110. Top surface of plate 110 can be generally parallel to rolling pin 108 so that when rolling pin 108 rolls dough placed on round plate 110 the end product is of uniform thickness.

[00049] In an embodiment round plate 110 can have a detachable top surface that can be removed for cleaning and refitted. Top surface of round plate 110 or rolling pin 108 or both can be made of any suitable material such as but not limited to wood, stainless steel, aluminum, marble etc. and can, depending on suitability of material, have non-stick coating to prevent sticking of dough. Alternatively user can apply some lubricating medium such as oil or dry flour on their surfaces for smooth and non-sticky rolling action.

[00050] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary internal arrangement 200 of mechanisms of chapatti maker 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Housing 102 can incorporate crank mechanism to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion required for rolling pin. The crank mechanism incorporates a rotating member such as rotary disc 202 that can be configured with an eccentrically placed eccentric pin 204. Actuating arm 206 that has a slot running along its length and whose lower end is pivoted 208, engages with eccentric pin 204 through the slot such that when rotary disc 202 rotates, eccentric pin 204 drives actuating arm 206 to reciprocate about its pivoted end. Upper end of the actuating arm 206 can be connected to transfer support bar 210 that is connected to rolling pin supports 106 on either side such that reciprocating motion of actuating arm 206 about its pivoted end 208 gets transferred to rolling pin 108.

[00051] In an embodiment rotary disc 202, depending on user preference and application, can be driven by a motor 214 or can be manually driven. In case of manual configuration there can be a handle 216 connected to rotary disc 202 that projects out of housing 102. Alternatively it could be similar to a cycle paddle where the person sits on chair and does paddling to drive the apparatus 100.

[00052] FIG. 2(a) illustrates schematic arrangement 250 of actuating arm 206 and eccentric pin 204 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Depicted there in is actuating arm 206 with slot 252 running along its length and pivoted lower end 208. Eccentric pin 204 engages actuating arm 206 at slot 252.

[00053] As would be apparent to those skilled in art, length of stroke of rolling pin 108, besides other things shall be controlled by eccentricity of eccentric pin 204. In an embodiment eccentricity of eccentric pin 204 can be changed to adjust length of stroke of rolling pin 108.

[00054] FIG. 2(b) illustrates schematic arrangement 270 for change of eccentricity of eccentric pin 204 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The arrangement can comprise a lead screw 272 mounted on the rotary disc 202 along a radial direction and a nut 274. As the lead screw 272 is rotated the nut 274 advances or retracts along the radial direction. The eccentric pin 204 can be configured on nut 274 so that rotation of lead screw 272 can change the eccentricity of the eccentric pin 204. Rotation of lead screw 272 can be manual by means of an appropriate tool inserted through an opening in the housing 102 after rotary disc 202 is suitably positioned to align lead screw 272 with the opening. Alternatively a small electric motor can be configured on rotary disc 202 to rotate lead screw 272 in which case requisite controls can be configured on the outside of housing 102. In an embodiment the chapatti maker 100 can be configured with display that can indicate length of stroke of rolling pin 108 to user. In an embodiment there can be an arrangement whereby the lead screw 272 is moved in synchronization with each stroke of rolling pin such that stroke length gets increased with each stroke. Thus as rolling action increases size of chapatti stroke length also increases. [00055] In an embodiment chapatti maker 100 can incorporate a mechanism 212 for rotation and upward movement of round plate 110 as depicted in FIG. 2. Rotation of round plate 110 provides uniform rolling of dough in all radial direction thus ensuring round shape of rolled chapatti. Also upward movement of round plate 110 reduces gap between rolling pin 108 and round plate 110 thus controlling the thickness of chapatti placed on round plate 110. The mechanism can be actuated by transfer support bar 210 by pushing an actuating lever 218 as it reaches end of the stroke of rolling pin 108. The mechanism 212 can be a ratchet mechanism that when actuated imparts certain rotational movement to round plate 110. There can be two actuating levers 218 - one at each end of stroke and both can be configured to rotate round plate 110 in same direction - clockwise or anti-clockwise, such that a rotation is provided as rolling pin 108 reaches either of two ends of stroke. In alternate embodiment there can be only one actuating lever 218 at one end in which case rotation can happen once every cycle of reciprocating rolling action.

[00056] In another embodiment, there can be another ratchet mechanism with cam to provide requisite lift to round plate 110 with each actuation. In this mechanism, actuation of ratchet rotates/moves the cam that lifts round plate 110. There can be a release mechanism in ratchet which when pushed can release ratchet to bring cam back to starting position that can be set by user. The mechanism can be configured such that round plate 110 stops moving up after preset gap between rolling pin 108 and round plate 110 is achieved. The preset gap between rolling pin 108 and round plate 110 can be final thickness of chapatti desired by user.

[00057] In an embodiment, means for rotation and lifting of round plate 110 can be actuated by electric motors instead of actuation by cranking mechanism. In which case trigger for actuating motors can be generated by proximity switches placed at appropriate place in path of stroke of rolling pin 108.

[00058] In an embodiment of application, user can first set stroke length of rolling pin 108 and final thickness of chapatti. He can thereafter flatten ball of dough by hand to starting thickness and place it at center of round plate 110. The dough can be sprinkled with dry flour or some oil can be applied to round plate 110 and rolling pinl08. The rolling operation begins with strokes of the rolling pin 108. After the completion of one stroke of roller pin, the dough along with rotary plate 110 rotated by certain degrees and also moved by a specific distance by mechanism 212. Once the rotary plate rotates and moves upward, the roller pin executes the next stroke. Thus, with every stroke of rolling pin 108, the dough expands with reduction in thickness. Since the angular orientation of the dough continuously changes relative to the direction of the rolling pin stroke, the dough gradually develops into a larger and thinner round shaped product. This process repeats until the dough reaches desired thickness and shape.

[00059] The above description represents merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, without any intention to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. Various equivalent changes, alterations or modification based on the present invention are all consequently viewed as being embraced by the scope of the present invention.

[00060] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean "communicatively coupled with" over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.

[00061] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[00062] The present disclosure overcomes disadvantages associated with known art.

[00063] The present disclosure provides an automatic and compact apparatus for making dough products of circular configuration and desired thickness.

[00064] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for making dough products in an efficient and hygienic manner.

[00065] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that prevents dough wastage.

[00066] The present disclosure provides an apparatus with adjustable settings for ease and efficiency in operation.

[00067] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for making chapattis and similar dough products that result in reduced human efforts.

[00068] The present disclosure provides an apparatus that is cost effective and commercially feasible.

[00069] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for making chapattis and similar dough products in uniform desired thickness and circular shape.

[00070] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for making chapattis and the like dough products which can be used not only for large scale industrial production but also for household purposes.