HERNANDEZ, Carlos, R. (34 Salisbury Way, Logan Township, NJ, 08085, US)
PAOLINO, Richard F. (16 Quincy Adams Road, Barrington, RI, 02806, US)
HERNANDEZ, Carlos, R. (34 Salisbury Way, Logan Township, NJ, 08085, US)
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A food processing system comprising: a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle being dimensionally stable or rigid and having a mounting surface having a selected contour for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material on said mounting surface under the force of gravity or centrifugal force, the mounting surface being enveloped by a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material that separates the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforms to the contour of the mounting surface under the force exerted by the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the food material comprises a dough for forming an edible bread material. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the food material comprises a biomolecular material and live cellular material, one or the other or both of which can degrade under normal ambient environmental conditions of humidity, pressure and temperature above about zero degrees fahrenheit. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the tray or receptacle comprises an elongated shelf, plank, board, tray, tube or the like having an elongated axis, two opposing ends and an elongated mounting surface having an axial length intermediate and extending between the two ends. 5. The system of claim 4 where the tray or receptacle is adapted or formed such that the intermediate elongated mounting surface comprises a trough or well having sidewalls. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the trough or well is formed such that the food material can be readily mechanically deposited or inserted into and retained within the trough or well by the sidewalls. 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlies the trough or well and sidewalls separating the food material that is deposited into the trough or well from direct physical contact or engagement with a surface of the trough or well or sidewalls. 8. The system of claim 5 wherein the food material when deposited within the trough or well causes the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material to conform to the contour of the mounting surface including the sidewalls under the force of the weight of the food material or gravity. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material comprises a thin sheet of cloth or polymeric material that is readily manually or mechanically installable on or over, and readily manually or mechanically removable from, the tray or receptacle. 10. The system of claim 5 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is readily installable on or over any portion or all of the length of the elongated intermediate surface of the tray or receptacle such that the sheet or tube of sheet material overlies the intermediate surface of the well or trough or sidewalls when installed. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is readily manually or mechanically collapsible when removed from contact with the tray or receptacle. 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is lightweight. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is comprised of a material that is readily washable in a water or aqueous based solution or medium such that food material that may adhere to or reside on an outer surface of the sheet or tube of sheet material is readily removable in a mechanical washing machine by mechanical agitation or movement of the water solution or medium containing the flexible sheet or tube in a collapsed state. 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is comprised of a cloth comprising one or the other of cotton, nylon, polyester, aramid, acrylic, spandex, olefin, Tyvek, polylactide, Lurex, metallic fiber, milk protein, flax, jute, hemp, modal, wool, felt or other polymeric material that is readily washable and resistant to stain or contamination with live cellular matter. 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the sheet or tube of sheet material is formed into an elongated tubular configuration that is complementary to the elongated axial length and cross-sectional configuration of the tray or receptacle, the sheet or tube of sheet material having an interior tubular size and configuration that enables the flexible tube or sheet material to envelop, be slid or pulled over, encompass or enclose any portion or all of the tray or receptacle. 16. The system of claim 5 wherein the tray or receptacle is mounted on its opposing distal ends on a conveying mechanism. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the tray or receptacle is mounted on the conveying mechanism such that the well or trough faces in a vertically upward direction for receiving the food material from an upward position. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the tray or receptacle is formed in a geometrical configuration having weighted portions arranged such that when the tray is mounted on the conveying mechanism, the tray or receptacle freely pivots under the force of gravity whereby the well or trough faces vertically upwardly such that masses of food material can be readily deposited in the trough or well. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein the conveying mechanism comprises two or more endless belts, chains or interconnected links that are controllably driven around pulleys or gears or shafts for mechanically conveying or translating the tray or receptacle from one preselected physical location to another. 20. The system of claim 1 wherein the conveying mechanism is controllably driven to sequentially position and process the food material over selected intermittent periods of time at the selected positions in the course of conveying the food material. 21. The system of claim 19 wherein the elongated tray or receptacle have a pivot mechanism such as a pin, rod, projection, freely rotatably mounted wheel or gear or the like that is mounted on opposing ends or protrudes axially outwardly from the opposing ends of the tray. 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the belt or link has a pivot or rotation enabling mechanism such as a tube, pipe, chain link or linkage assembly that receives or mounts the pivot mechanisms that are mounted or protrude from the respective ends of the axially elongated tray or receptacle. 23. The system of claim 22 wherein the pivot mechanisms when mounted on, in or to the pivot enabling mechanisms of the belt, chain or interconnected links cause or enable the tray or receptacle to naturally pivot generally around its elongated axis under the force of gravity such that the trough or well of the tray or receptacle faces vertically upwardly in a position for readily receiving the food material and for ready removal of the food material by manual or other mechanical manipulation and engagement of the food material. 24. The system of claim 22 wherein the system includes a tilt device that mechanically engages the tray or receptacle to cause the tray or receptacle to rotate or pivot and thus causing the well or trough to face vertically downwardly whereby the food material deposited in the well or trough can fall or roll out of the well or trough under the force of gravity. 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the tilt device engages a complementary pivot mechanism connected to the tray or receptacle thus causing the pivot mechanism to pivot or rotate thus causing the tray or receptacle to rotate or pivot around its longitudinal axis. 26. The system of claim 24 wherein operation of the tilt device is controlled or controllable in time and degree of pivot such that when the tray or receptacle is concomitantly pivoted or rotated, food material which is resident within the trough or well falls under gravity out of the well or trough onto a selected surface. 27. The system of claim 5 wherein the flexible/dimensionally collapsible or unstable sheet or tube of sheet material is mountable on or over any portion or all of the mounting surface of the trough or well along the axial length, the food material being depositable into the well or trough such that the weight of the masses or masses of food material bear against the sheet or tube forcing the sheet or tube to conform to the shape or contour of the well or trough, the sheet or tube being sandwiched between the mounting surface of the well or trough separating the food material from direct contact with the mounting surface. 28. A method of processing a selected food material comprising: forming one or more masses of food material having a preselected size or weight; forming a tray or receptacle having a well or trough for receiving and retaining objects within the well or trough; mounting a sheet of dimensionally flexible or collapsible material over the well or trough; mounting the tray or receptacle on a transport or conveying mechanism such that the well or trough freely pivots under the force of gravity to a position wherein the well or trough faces vertically upwardly; depositing the one or more masses of food material into the well or trough of the tray or receptacle having the sheet mounted thereover such that the food material contacts the sheet under the force of gravity, the sheet being disposed between the food material and a surface of the well or trough; removing the one or more masses of food material from the well or trough after a preselected period of processing time; wherein the food material is degradable or reacts over time to form a residue or contaminant material. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of forming a tray or receptacle comprises forming the tray or receptacle into a configuration wherein the well or trough has an elongated axis and the tray has two opposing ends that are mountable on the transport mechanism such that the tray or receptacle is freely pivotable around the elongated axis. 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of forming the tray or receptacle preferably includes providing a weighted portion or segment to the tray or receptacle that is offset from the elongated axis so that the tray or receptacle pivots when freely pivotably mounted under force of gravity to a pivot position where the trough or well faces vertically upwardly. 31. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of mounting the tray or receptacle comprises mounting two opposing ends of the tray or receptacle on a corresponding chain or belt such that the two opposing ends are freely pivotable or rotatable on the corresponding chain or belt. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the chain or belt is formed to be controllably driven on gears, pulleys or rollers such that the tray or receptacle is translatable along a preselected path of translation. 33. The method of claim 31 wherein the chain or belt is driven by a drive mechanism that has a controller that controls the speed, duration, distance, time, length and intermittency of translation or movement of the tray or receptacle along the predetermined path of translation. 34. A food processing system comprising: a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle having a mounting surface for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material and an elongated axial length having an axis of rotation, a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlying, covering or encompassing the mounting surface, the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material separating the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforming to the contour of the mounting surface under force exerted by the weight of the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material, a pivot mechanism controllably engageable with the tray or receptacle to pivot or rotate the tray or receptacle around the axis of rotation. 35. A food processing system comprising: a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle having a mounting surface for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material and an elongated axial length having an axis of rotation, a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlying, covering or encompassing the mounting surface, the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material separating the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforming to the contour of the mounting surface under force exerted by the weight of the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material, the tray being mounted for free pivoting or rotation around its axis and having a weighted portion offset from the axis of rotation such that the the tray or receptacle freely pivots under the force of gravity to a position where the mounting surface faces vertically upward. |
Background
[001] Machinery and mechanical equipment for processing certain food materials such as bread dough are subject to becoming contaminated by contact with or accumulation of debris or residue originating with the food material that is subject to decay, oxidation, reaction or the like with water, oxygen or other ambient environmental conditions.
Summary of the Invention
[002] The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods used in the processing of food materials where the food materials contain one or more of
biochemical, bio-molecular, biodegradable, biological or live cellular materials.
[003] In accordance with the invention there is provided a food processing system comprising a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle being dimensionally stable or rigid and having a mounting surface having a selected contour for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material on said mounting surface under the force of gravity or centrifugal force, the mounting surface being enveloped by a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material that separates the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforms to the contour of the mounting surface under the force exerted by the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material.
[004] The food material typically comprises a dough for forming an edible bread material. The dough typically comprises a biomolecular material and live cellular material one or the other or both of which can degrade under normal ambient environmental conditions of humidity, pressure and temperature above about zero degrees fahrenheit.
[005] The tray or receptacle typically comprises an elongated shelf, plank, board, tray, tube or the like having an elongated axis, two opposing ends and an axially elongated mounting surface intermediate and extending between the two ends. The tray is adapted or formed such that the intermediate elongated mounting surface comprises a trough or well having sidewalls. The trough or well is formed such that the food material can be readily mechanically deposited or inserted into and retained within the trough or well by the sidewalls. The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlies the trough or well and sidewalls thus separating the food material that is deposited into the trough or well from direct physical contact or engagement with a surface of the trough or well or sidewalls. The food material when deposited within the trough or well cause the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material to conform to the contour of the mounting surface including the sidewalls under the force of the weight of the food material or gravity.
[006] The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material preferably comprises a thin sheet of cloth or polymeric material that is readily manually or mechanically installable on or over, and readily manually or mechanically removable from, the tray or receptacle and in particular readily installable on or over any portion or all of the length of the elongated intermediate surface of the tray or receptacle such that the sheet or tube of sheet material overlies the intermediate surface of the well or trough or sidewalls when installed. The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is readily manually or mechanically collapsible when removed from contact with the tray or receptacle. The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is preferably lightweight. The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is preferably comprised of a material that is readily washable in a water or aqueous based solution or medium such that food material that may adhere to or reside on an outer surface of the sheet or tube of sheet material is readily removable in a mechanical washing machine by mechanical agitation or movement of the water solution or medium containing the flexible sheet or tube in a collapsed state. The flexible sheet or tube of sheet material is typically comprised of a cloth comprising one or the other of cotton, nylon, polyester, aramid, acrylic, spandex, olefin, Tyvek, polylactide, Lurex, metallic fiber, milk protein, flax, jute, hemp, modal, wool, felt or other polymeric material that is readily washable and resistant to stain or contamination with live cellular matter.
[007] The sheet or tube of sheet material is preferably formed into an elongated tubular configuration that is complementary to the elongated axial length and cross- sectional configuration of the tray or receptacle, the sheet or tube of sheet material having an interior tubular size and configuration that enables the flexible tube or sheet material to envelop, be slid or pulled over, encompass or enclose any portion or all of the tray or receptacle.
[008] The tray or receptacle is typically mounted on its opposing distal ends on a conveying mechanism. The tray or receptacle is mounted on the conveying mechanism such that the well or trough faces in a vertically upward direction for receiving the food material from an upward position. The tray or receptacle is typically formed in a geometrical configuration having weighted portions arranged such that when the tray is mounted on the conveying mechanism, the tray or receptacle freely pivots under the force of gravity whereby the well or trough faces vertically upwardly such that masses of food material can be readily deposited in the trough or well. The conveying mechanism typically comprises two or more endless belts, chains or interconnected links that are controllably driven around pulleys or gears or shafts for mechanically conveying or translating the tray or receptacle from one preselected physical location to another. The conveying mechanism is controllably driven to sequentially position and process the food material over selected intermittent periods of time at the selected positions in the course of conveying the food material. The opposing ends of the elongated tray or receptacle typically have a pivot mechanism such as a pin, rod, projection, freely rotatably mounted wheel or gear or the like that is mounted on the respective ends or protrudes axially outwardly from the respective ends of the tray. The belt or link has a pivot or rotation enabling mechanism such as a tube, pipe, chain link or linkage assembly that receives or mounts the pivot mechanisms that are mounted or protrude from the respective ends of the axially elongated tray or receptacle.
[009] The pivot mechanisms when mounted on, in or to the pivot enabling mechanisms of the belt, chain or interconnected links cause or enable the tray or receptacle to naturally pivot generally around its elongated axis under the force of gravity such that the trough or well of the tray or receptacle faces vertically upwardly in a position for readily receiving the food material and for ready removal of the food material by manual or other mechanical manipulation and engagement of the food material. [010] The system typically includes a tilt device that mechanically engages the tray or receptacle to cause the tray or receptacle to rotate or pivot and thus causing the well or trough to face vertically downwardly whereby the food material deposited in the well or trough can fall or roll out of the well or trough under the force of gravity.
Typically the tilt device engages a complementary pivot mechanism connected to the tray or receptacle thus causing the pivot mechanism to pivot or rotate thus causing the tray or receptacle to rotate or pivot around its longitudinal axis. Operation of the tilt device is controlled or controllable in time and degree of pivot such that when the tray or receptacle is concomitantly pivoted or rotated, food material which is resident within the trough or well falls under gravity out of the well or trough onto a surface disposed at another location such as a conveying mechanism surface of another component of the system for further conveying or processing of the material by or within the system.
[011] The flexible/dimensionally collapsible or unstable sheet or tube of sheet material is mountable on or over any portion or all of the mounting surface of the trough or well along the axial length thereof. A preselected mass or multiple individual masses of food material is/are typically deposited into the well or trough of the tray or receptacle having the sheet or tube previously mounted thereon. The weight of the masses or masses of food material bear against the sheet or tube forcing the sheet or tube to conform to the shape or contour of the well or trough. The sheet or tube is sandwiched between the mounting surface of the well or trough separating the food material from direct contact with the mounting surface.
[012] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method or process of processing a selected food material comprising: forming one or more masses of food material having a preselected size or weight;
forming a tray or receptacle having a well or trough for receiving and retaining objects within the well or trough;
mounting a sheet of dimensionally flexible or collapsible material over the well or trough;
mounting the tray or receptacle on a transport or conveying mechanism such that the well or trough freely pivots under the force of gravity to a position wherein the well or trough faces vertically upwardly;
depositing the one or more masses of food material into the well or trough of the tray or receptacle having the sheet mounted thereover such that the food material contacts the sheet under the force of gravity, the sheet being disposed between the food material and a surface of the well or trough;
removing the one or more masses of food material from the well or trough after a preselected period of processing time;
wherein the food material is degradable or reacts over time to form a residue or contaminant material.
[013] The step of forming a tray or receptacle typically comprises forming the tray or receptacle into a configuration wherein the well or trough has an elongated axis and the tray has two opposing ends that are mountable on the transport mechanism such that the tray or receptacle is freely pivotable around the elongated axis. The step of forming the tray or receptacle preferably includes providing a weighted portion or segment to the tray or receptacle that is offset from the elongated axis so that the tray or receptacle pivots when freely pivotably mounted under force of gravity to a pivot position where the trough or well faces vertically upwardly.
[014] The step of mounting the tray or receptacle comprises mounting two opposing ends of the tray or receptacle on a correponding chain or belt such that the two opposing ends are freely pivotable or rotatable on the corresponding chain or belt. The chain or belt is formed to be controllably driven on gears, pulleys or rollers such that the tray or receptacle is translatable along a preselected path of translation. The chain or belt is preferably driven by a drive mechanism that has a controller that controls the speed, duration, distance, time, length and intermittency of translation or movement of the tray or receptacle along the predetermined path of translation.
[015] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a food processing system comprising:
a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle having a mounting surface for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material and an elongated axial length having an axis of rotation,
a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlying, covering or encompassing the mounting surface, the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material separating the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforming to the contour of the mounting surface under force exerted by the weight of the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material,
a pivot mechanism controllably engageable with the tray or receptacle to pivot or rotate the tray or receptacle around the axis of rotation. [016] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a food processing system comprising:
a shelf, tray or receptacle for holding a selected food material, the shelf, tray or receptacle having a mounting surface for mechanically receiving and retaining a selected food material and an elongated axial length having an axis of rotation,
a collapsible or dimensionally flexible sheet or tube of sheet material overlying, covering or encompassing the mounting surface, the flexible sheet or tube of sheet material separating the mounting surface from direct physical contact with the food material and conforming to the contour of the mounting surface under force exerted by the weight of the food material on the sheet or tube of sheet material,
the tray being mounted for free pivoting or rotation around its axis and having a weighted portion offset from the axis of rotation such that the the tray or receptacle freely pivots under the force of gravity to a position where the mounting surface faces vertically upward.
Brief Description of the Figures
[017] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a tray or receptacle component of an apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view the tray component of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of a tray or receptacle component of a system according to the invention where a surface protective sheet or tube of sheet material has been slid over and encompasses the tray component along a portion of the axial length of the tray, the exposed well of the tray shown having a darkened blackish appearance due to deteriorated residue from a mass of food material that has accumulated on the surface of the exposed well of the tray;
Fig. 4 is a top view similar to Fig. 3 showing the sheet or tube of sheet material has been slid along the entire axial length L, Fig. 1 , of the tray, the figure also showing a pair of spring-loaded clips that frictionally hold or affix the distal ends of the tubular sheet to the top edges of the well or trough of the tray;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a tray as shown in Figs. 1-4 showing the opposing ends of the tray having mounting pins or projections connected to each end of the tray in a position co-axial with the rotation or pivot axis A of the tray, the pins or projections being mountable on a conveying or transport or other mounting mechanism that enables the tray to be freely pivotable around its elongated axis A;
Fig. 5A is a radial cross-sectional view taken along lines 5A-5A of Fig. 5;
Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a food processing apparatus according to the invention showing a series of food mass receiving trays having a multiplicity of masses of food material deposited within the wells of the trays, the trays being mounted on opposing ends on a pair of controllably drivable conveying chains or belts;
Fig. 7 is an end schematic view of the chain or belt components of the Fig. 6 apparatus showing the relationship between upstream and downstream conveying mechanisms and the trays mounted on the chains or belts and showing the mounting arrangement of the chains or belts on upper and lower driven gears;
Fig. 8 is a schematic top perspective view of a single tray mounted on the chain or belt of Figs. 6, 7 in a rotated or pivoted position showing masses of food material deposited in the well of the tray about to roll out of the well by force of gravity due to the degree of tilt or pivot or rotation of the tray, a rotatable wheel mechanism being shown at one end of the tray for controllably engaging a surface and tilting/pivoting the tray as shown; and,
Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of the tray shown in Fig. 8 showing the axis of the pivot mount 30 being coaxial with the axis of pivot or rotation of the tray generally and the disposition of a weighted portion of the tray offset from the axis such that the tray pivots naturally under the force of gravity to a position where the well faces vertically upwardly.
Detailed Description
[018] Fig. 1 shows in top plan view a tray or receptacle 10 having an elongated longitudinal axis A having a selected length L that extends from one end 12 to an opposing end 14. The tray 10 is typically formed into a configuration of a tube that is sectioned along its length having a trough or well 16 having an upwardly facing lower well surface 19 formed and bounded by curved or curvilinear sidewalls 18. The tray 10 is comprised of a structurally rigid, dimensionally stable frame 20, Fig. 2, which itself is typically comprised of a plastic, polymeric, metal, wood or other suitable dimensionally stable material that gives the tray 10 stability and rigidity.
[019] The frame or base 20 is typically formed in a honeycombed configuration having struts or links 23 that form recesses 22 in the overall frame 20 structure. A sheet of flexible or rigid plastic or cloth material 25 is affixed or adhered to the frame 20 so as to extend over and enclose the series of recesses 22 formed by the links 23. The thin sheet 25 is typically formed of a material having pores that are selectively permeable to water or particulate material having a predetermined minimum diameter or other size. The sheet 25 extends over the recesses 22 such that the overall structure of the tray 10 is honeycombed in nature, the sheet 25 preventing large sized particulate material greater than about 50 microns in diameter from penetrating through the sheet and providing the well 16 with the capability of retaining large-sized solids or solid masses. The trough or well 16 is formed into the general shape of a tube that has been sectioned longitudinally, Figs. 1 , 2, the sectioned tube 10 forming a tray or receptacle having a minimum diameter or depth D, Fig. 1 , along a radial cross-section of about 2- 12 inches, the trough or well 16 of the tray or sectioned tube being adapted to be able to readily receive and retain a mass of food material 32, Fig. 6, of a predetermined size, shape and weight, e.g. a mass of food material 32 that has a maximum radial cross- sectional dimension, diameter or length of about 2-12 inches and a maximum weight of about 0.2 to about 15 pounds. The mass 32 of food material is preselected to have a maximum linear or other longest dimension so that the mass of food material can be readily received, deposited and retained within the trough or well 16 between the sidewalls 18 and also readily removed or rolled out of the well 16.
[020] As shown in Fig. 3 if the food material 32 used in the process such as bread dough is placed in direct contact with the upper surface 27 of the well 16, such surface 27 can become soiled, infected or laden with residue, mold, bacteria or dirt 24. Such dirt, residue or the like 24 forms on the contact surface 27 of the well 16 because the food material may contain loose and/or bio-degradable material such as
carbohydrate, protein, fatty acid and/or other bio-molecular, bio-chemical, microbial and/or cellular materials (such as yeast) that react with water, air and other chemicals contained within the ambient environment and within the food material mass 32 itself to form toxic or other undesirable by-products over time on degradation of the food material under ambient room conditions after oxidation or infection with ambient microbial material.
[021] As shown in Figs. 3-5A, the system includes a sleeve, sheet or tube of cloth or polymeric material 26 such as cotton or nylon or another inert polymeric material that is non-reactive with the food material 32. The material of which the sleeve 26 is comprised is dimensionally flexible and collapsible such that the sleeve can be readily folded up, collapsed and expanded. The sleeve 26 can have any shape or configuration that allows the sleeve to be readily disposed and affixed over the upper surface 27 of the tray 10. As shown, the sleeve 26 is typically formed into an elongated open-ended tube or tubular configuration having an elongated axis and an interior volume that is complementary to the length and longest dimensions, e.g. L, of the tray 26 that enables the sleeve 26 to be manually or mechanically slid or pulled over an end 12, 14 of the tray 10 and then further slid continuously along any selected portion, as shown for example in Fig. 3, or slid over the entire length as shown in Figs. 4-5, of the length L of the tray 10 along its axis A .
[022] The sleeve 26 material is comprised of a material that is preferably resistant to stain, soil, biomolecular, biochemical and living cellular material such as yeast, carbohydrate, protein and the like and is readily washable/cleansable in a water solution together with conventional detergents for readily removing dirt, debris, organic matter, cellular material, germs, viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold and the like from the surface and interstices of the sheet material. The sleeve 26 material is preferably a cloth or sheet that is comprised of one or the other of cotton, nylon, polyester, aramid, acrylic, spandex, olefin, Tyvek, polylactide, Lurex, metallic fiber, milk protein, flax, jute, hemp, modal, wool, felt or other polymeric material that is readily washable and resistant to stain or contamination with live cellular matter.
[023] Once the sleeve 26 is slid or placed over the surface of the trough or well 16 of the tray 10, Figs. 3-5A, masses of preselected size and weight of food material 32 can be deposited from a position above the trough 16 into the recess of the trough 16 formed between the walls 18 of the tray 10. Fig. 5A shows a schematic cross-section of the tray 10 (taken along lines 5A-5A of Fig. 5) where the tubular sleeve 26 has been slid over the top of the trough 16 and where a mass of food material 32 has been deposited into the trough or well 16. As shown in Fig. 5A, the sheet 26 is preferably attached or secured in a fixed position onto the tray and over the surface area 27 of the well 16 by a fastening mechanism such as a spring loaded clip 28 as shown. The spring loaded clip when expanded from its rest position and then released exerts an inwardly directed clipping force SF that causes the two arms of the clip 28 to force the portion of the sheet 26 over which the clip is disposed to engage against and be forcibly clipped to the outside surface of the walls 18 such that the sleeve 26 is essentially attached, affixed or adhered to the tray 10 in a fixed position and will not slip or slide axially or radially or in any other direction away from the position of the sleeve 26 as shown in the Figures. As shown, the clipping or adhering or forcing of a small isolated area or portion of the sleeve or sheet 26 against a small area or portion of the surface of the tray 10 by a clip or clasp or pin or other suitable device, e.g. on an area of less than about 1 square inch, effectively locks or holds the tube or sheet 26 in fixed position or place against translational movement away from or relative to the tray 10. As can be readily imagined the tube or sheet 26 can be affixed to the tray 10 in a variety of ways and means known to a person skilled in the art such as by bolting, gluing, nailing, stapling, tying and the like.
[024] As also shown in Fig. 5A, the material of which the sleeve or sheet 26 is comprised has an inherent flexibility and collapsibility such that the portion 29 of the sheet 26 that the mass of food material 32 is physically engaged against under the force of gravity G will engage against and conform to the geometry/configuration of the immediately adjacent upwardly facing surface 27 of the well 16. Thus the flexibility of the sheet 26 material of which the sleeve or sheet 26 is comprised enables the food mass 32 to stably reside within the well 16 between but insulated from direct contact with walls 18 of the well. Further as shown in Fig. 5A, the mass of food material 32 does not make contact with the actual upwardly facing surface 27 or the walls 18 generally of the tray 10 itself. Instead the portion 29 of the sheet or sleeve 26, the top surface 19 of which the food mass 32 is engaged, is sandwiched and disposed between the mass of food material 32 and the bottom 27 and wall surfaces 18 of the well 16 thus preventing, protecting and insulating the surfaces 18, 27 from contact with the food material 32 so that the tray 10 does not become soiled, contaminated or degraded by residue from the food mass 32 thus avoiding the necessity of having to replace the tray 10 when it becomes contaminated or soiled.
[025] As shown in Figs. 6, 7 a typical food processing apparatus or system according to the invention comprises a belt or chain 36, typically an endless chain or belt that has a multiplicity of trays 10 mounted sequentially along the length of the chain or belt 36 such that the trays 10 are freely pivotable or rotatable around an axis A extending between separate points of mounting located at each end 12, 14 of the tray 10. On one end 14 there is shown a projection, rod, pin or the like 30 that is freely rotatably R, Figs. 8, 9, mounted or received within a complementary mounting aperture 36c, Figs. 1 , 4, 5, 8, that is disposed on the chain or belt 36, for example, a receiving aperture that is formed between the ends of two overlapping sequential links 36a, 36b, Fig. 8 in the chain. As shown in Fig. 9, the tray 10 is freely rotatable R around axis A which is coincident with the axis of the pin 30. On the other end 12 of the trays 10, Figs. 8, 9, the trays 10 are similarly mounted in some fashion such that the end 12 of the tray 10 is freely rotatable R around the same axis A. The trays 10 are configured and adapted so as to have a more heavily weighted portion 11 offset from the axis A such that when the trays 10 are mounted at both ends 12, 14 via a freely rotatable
mechanism to the belt or chain 36 the more heavily weighted portion 11 of the trays 10 cause the trays to naturally pivot/rotate to a position where the troughs or wells 16 face upwardly under the natural force of gravity G, Fig. 9.
[026] As shown for example in Fig. 7 the chain or belt 36 is typically drivably rotated on a pair of gears or pulleys 38 by a controllable motorized drive B which is connected via a belt 39 to a gear 38, Fig. 7, that causes the entire series of trays 10 that are sequentially mounted on the front portion 36f of the chain to be controllably movable upwardly or forwardly U and the series of trays mounted on the rear portion 36r of the chain to be controllably movable downwardly or rearwardly DO. During the entire course of the translational movement of the trays 10 on the chain or belt 36, the wells of the trays 10 are facing vertically upwardly by virtue of the arrangement of the axis A of the mounting mechanisms, for example 30, being offset from the weighted portion 11 of the trays 10. The drive B is programmed or otherwise contains or is connected to a movement controller such as a computer or logic chip to cause the upward U and downward DO movement to occur at selected/seclectable periods of time over selected translational distances during the course of the process and operation of the equipment generally. Typically the drive controller such as a computer or printed circuit (not shown) for the drive B is programmed such that once a series of masses of food material 32 are deposited in a tray 10 as shown in Figs. 6, 7, the chain or belt 36, 36f, 36r is controllably driven to allow the food masses 32 to reside within the trays 10 for a preselected period of time to, for example, allow a mass 32 of bread dough to expand under the influence of yeast during the preselected period of time to a preselected size, before the tray 10 is driven or moved to a position along the up U and down DO course of travel of the carrying tray 10 whereby the food masses 32 are transferred to another point or position in the process.
[027] Typically the controller for the drive and the mounting arrangement of the chain 36, 36f, 36r, Figs. 7-9, is/are designed and controlled such that after a select period of time a tray 10 is transported to a position where the tray 10 is aligned with a downstream transport or translating belt mechanism 35 at which the food masses 32 can be transferred to the downstream transport or translating belt 35, Fig. 7. One mechanism and method by which the food masses 32 can be transferred from the trays 10 to another transport mechanism 35 is by pivoting/rotating R the trays 10, Fig. 8, around their axes A such that the well 16 is facing downwardly thus allowing the food masses 32 to be mechanically dropped or rolled under force of gravity out of the well 16 onto another surface or transport mechanism such as downstream conveyor 35. One example of such a pivoting or rotating mechanism is a drive wheel or roller 100, Figs. 5,5A, 7 & 9 that has a circumferential surface that is controllably rotatable and controllably frictionally engageable with a suitable circular surface 98 of the trays 10 to cause the trays 10 to rotate R. Such a drive wheel 100 is typically connected to a controllable drive mechanism such as a motor (not shown) that is controllably driven by controller or computer that controls the point in time that the wheel 100 engages and the degree to which the trays 10 are rotated R to cause the food masses 32 to be dropped or rolled out of the well 16 onto another surface or transport mechanism 35 of the process and machinery generally as shown for example in Figs. 7, 8.
[028] As shown in Figs. 6, 7 masses of food material 32 can be deposited at an upstream position into the well 16a of a tray 16 via a controllably operable conveyor belt 34 or other controllably automated mechanical mechanism upstream to the trays 16 in the conveying process onto which the masses of food material 32 have been previously mechanically or manually deposited. As shown, Figs. 6, 7, the conveyor 34 is mounted and arranged relative to the bottommost tray 10a on the front portion or length 36f of the chain 36 such that the well 16a is aligned with the end of the transport or conveyor belt 34 to enable the food masses 32 being transported on the belt to fall under the force of gravity G into the well 16a of the lowermost tray 10a on the front 36f of the chain 36 that is aligned with the end of the of the conveyor belt 34. As shown in Fig. 6, in a typical process, multiple individual masses 32 are deposited and arranged along the width of the upstream conveyor belt 34 for simultaneous delivery into the well 16a of the receiving tray 10a. As shown schematically in Fig. 6, the gears or pulleys 38 are typically mounted on a frame, housing or support 8 that supports the weight of the entire apparatus comprised of the trays 10, drive mechanisms, chains, belts and pulleys in a predetermined orientation relative to the force of gravity. As shown in Fig. 6, the apparatus is typically arranged such that a series of trays 10 are mounted and arranged on a chain or belt in a generally evenly spaced apart fashion or arrangement, the chain or belt being mounted and arranged such that the trays 10 are transported vertically upwardly U and downwardly DD one above and one below the other.