Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the production of filled pasta. Background Art

Filled pasta, especially homemade egg pasta, is, as everybody knows, one of the peculiar features of traditional Italian cuisine and, in particular, filled pasta made from folding a single layer of pasta, such as cappelletti.

Cappelletti is a type of homemade pasta filled with minced meat mixed with cheese and spices, obtained by folding a single layer of pasta in such a way as to give it a shape similar to a small hat.

Usually, a small portion of minced meat is placed at the center of a circular/polygonal pasta sheet having a diameter/side of a few centimeters (typically from 2 to 4 cm).

Subsequently, the pasta sheet is manually closed so as to give the typical shape of the cappelletto.

The consumption of homemade pasta, both for traditional reasons, and for reasons of taste and product quality, continues to persist over time, so there is a strong demand from consumers.

Producing homemade filled pasta involves some difficulties and a certain amount of time in making every single element.

In fact, the traditional production of filled pasta, besides being linked to traditional components of the home environment, requires time and skill, so it is difficult to employ human resources in such a number as to satisfy a high demand such as that coming from the market.

In this regard machines are known adapted to produce homemade filled pasta on an industrial scale.

These machines are generally large in size and adapted to be used in special plants, whether large industries or pasta factories.

The quantities of ingredients used in these machines are remarkable since, at a certain interval of time, a certain amount of pasta must be produced that satisfies the request.

For this reason, the production of ingredients is also entrusted to industrial processes, disappearing the manual and, therefore, traditional component of the final product.

The main drawback of these machines is linked to the fact that the products obtained do not have the quality and tastiness of homemade filled pasta.

Another drawback of known machines is given by their large size and the large amount of energy required for their operation.

Consequently, the use of such machines is not suited to a small-scale production, e.g. domestic.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the production of filled pasta which allows extending the production of this type of pasta also on a small scale, e.g. domestic.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the production of filled pasta that can provide support in the traditional domestic production.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the production of filled pasta which can facilitate the pasta folding, filling and closing operations, thus minimizing the overall dimensions and energy consumption of the machine itself.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the production of filled pasta which allows overcoming the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present machine for the production of filled pasta having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the production of filled pasta, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting, example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a general axonometric view of the machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the machine according to the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 are axonometric views of a first detail of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a detail of the machine according to the invention;

Figures 6 and 7 are axonometric views of a second detail of the machine according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated by reference numeral 1 is a machine for the production of filled pasta.

In particular, the present embodiment illustrates a machine for the production of cappelletti.

The machine 1 has a base structure 2 adapted to be put on a work surface or adapted to be placed in a production line having several machines arranged in series.

According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises folding means 3 of a single layer of pasta supporting at least one dose of filling.

The folding means 3 are adapted to make a double layer of pasta containing the dose of filling.

In other words, the folding means 3 are adapted to fold the single layer of pasta supporting a dose of filling so as to close it to form a double layer folded on itself and containing inside the dose of filling.

For example, when producing cappelletti, the single layer is folded on itself so as to form a double layer of pasta of substantially rectangular shape, including the dose of filling, similar to a "cushion", that is, convex at the dose of filling itself.

The folding means 3 have at least one receiving element 4 and at least one moving away element 5.

The receiving element 4 is adapted to receive the single layer of pasta and has a first free end 6 and a first constrained end 7 which is constrained to the base structure 2.

The moving away element 5 is adapted to facilitate the sliding of the double layer moving away from the receiving element 4 along a direction of advancement 8 and has at least a second constrained end 9 which is constrained to the base structure 2.

As illustrated in the figures, the moving away element 5 has a second free end 10, but the alternative solution cannot be ruled out in which the same end is also constrained to the base structure 2.

The receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5, furthermore, are hinged together at the first constrained end 7 and at the second constrained end 9.

The receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5 are movable between an opening configuration, shown in Figure 3, and a closure configuration, shown in Figure 4.

In the opening configuration the first free end 6 is moved away from the moving away element 5.

In the closure configuration, on the contrary, the first free end 6 is approached to the moving away element 5 so as to fold the single layer of pasta on itself to make the double layer.

The passage from the opening configuration to the closure configuration allows the receiving element 4 to bring one flap of the single layer of pasta in contact with the opposite flap thus permitting a folding of the same layer to form a double layer of pasta.

In particular, at the hinge between the receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5 is defined an axis of rotation 11 around which the receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5 are rotatable to pass from the opening configuration to the closure configuration and vice versa.

Conveniently, the elements 4, 5 are associated with first motor means 13 adapted to move the same elements 4, 5 between the opening configuration and the closure configuration and vice versa.

In the present embodiment, the elements 4, 5 are driven into motion directly by the rotation of the first motor means 13.

The latter, by rotating in one way, bring the elements 4, 5 to the closure configuration, while, by rotating in the other way, they bring the same elements to the opening configuration.

Different solutions cannot be ruled out in which, e.g., camshafts are used, or other devices able to achieve the cyclic opening and closure of the elements 4, 5.

Solutions cannot also be ruled out that provide for the use of different first motor means 13, e.g. of the type of pneumatic actuators.

In the present embodiment, the receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5 are substantially flat, but alternative solutions cannot be ruled out in which the same elements have different conformations, e.g., curved or convex. The receiving element 4 also comprises at least one concavity 4a adapted to locate the dose of filling on the single layer of pasta.

The concavity 4a facilitates the positioning of the dose of filling on the single layer of pasta, thus defining a preferred area where releasing the dose itself. The moving away element 5, instead, has the second constrained end 9 that, in the opening configuration, is placed at a higher level than the second free end 10.

This solution gives the moving away element 5 a descending inclination with respect to the direction of advancement 8 which facilitates the sliding of the pasta.

Advantageously, the moving away element 5 comprises sliding means 14, 15, 16 adapted to transport the double layer of pasta along the direction of advancement 8.

In particular, the sliding means 14, 15, 16 comprise at least one sliding flexible element 14, defining a supporting surface for the support of the double layer of pasta and adapted to make the same slide along the direction of advancement 8. In the present embodiment, the sliding means 14, 15, 16 comprise two flexible elements 14 arranged parallel to one another.

The flexible elements 14 are of the type of ribbon-shaped belts, adapted to slide according to the direction of advancement 8.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises an actuating assembly 12 associated with the sliding means 14, 15, 16 and adapted to raise and lower the sliding means 14, 15, 16 with respect to the direction of advancement 8, namely with respect to the plane defined by the moving away element 5.

This way, the double layer of pasta, obtained after the closure of the elements 4,

5, is detached from the moving away element 5.

This operation allows avoiding that the double layer remains attached to the moving away element 5 thus causing malfunctions.

In the present embodiment, the actuating assembly comprises a spring-loaded lever, associated with the elements 4, 5 for its loading and adapted to transmit an elastic force to the sliding means 14, 15, 16 for their lifting and lowering. More particularly, the sliding means 14, 15, 16 comprise a first pulley 15a and a second pulley 15b, indicated below as pulleys 15, kinematically connected by the flexible element 14, and operable by second motor means, for simplicity not shown in the illustrations.

When the pulleys 15 rotate, the flexible elements 14, being in contact with the double layer of pasta, drive the latter into motion in the direction of advancement 8.

The inclination of the moving away element 5 facilitates the movement of the pasta.

Advantageously, the sliding means 14, 15, 16 also comprise an auxiliary sliding element 16 placed downstream of the flexible element 14 and adapted to receive the double layer of pasta for its direction at output from the moving away element 5.

In the present embodiment, the auxiliary sliding element 16 is a rotary shaft 17 on which two gearwheels 18 are keyed adapted to support and slide the double layer of pasta coming from the moving away element 5.

Alternative solutions cannot be ruled out that provide for different auxiliary sliding elements 16, such as movable guides or other shifting elements.

Alternative solutions cannot also be ruled out that provide for different sliding means 14, 15, 16, e.g. devoid of the auxiliary sliding element 16, or with sliding elements different to the flexible elements 14 such as, e.g., rollers or rotating drums.

As illustrated in the figures, the machine 1 has dosing means 19 adapted to deliver a dose of filling onto the single layer of pasta. In particular, the dosing means 19 have a release head 20 placed on top of the folding means 3.

This is movable with respect to the folding means 3 between an approach configuration and a moving away configuration.

The release head 20 is adapted to release the dose of filling on the single layer of pasta when the folding means 3 are in the opening configuration.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the dosing means 19 comprise a tank 21 communicating with the release head 20 by means of a tubular element 22.

The latter is internally fixed to the release head 20 and is locked together with it.

The tank 21 is intended to accumulate the filling material to be used for the filling of the pasta.

In the specific case of "cappelletti", the tank 21 is partially filled with filling meat.

Advantageously, the tank 21 is pressurized to facilitate the descent of the meat along the tubular element 22.

The release head 20, passing cyclically from the moving away configuration to the approach configuration, drives the tubular element 22 inside and outside the tank 21, allowing taking the meat to be released.

The progressive movement of ascent and descent of the release head 20 allows, at each cycle, the release of a certain amount of filling material.

Alternative solutions cannot be ruled out in which, for example, the dosing means 19 comprise a pump or actuator devices adapted to push a certain amount of material on the single layer lying above the folding means 3.

Similar solutions to that described cannot also be ruled out, but having other auxiliary devices cooperating with the tubular element 22 and the release head 20 to facilitate the taking and release of the filling dose, such as, e.g. rotating spoons and blades.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises a cutting element 23 placed on the release head 20 at the first free end 6 and adapted to cut the single layer of pasta when the head itself is in the approach configuration. The cutting element 23 is of the type of a blade screwed onto the release head 20 in such a position to sink downwards immediately downstream of the first free end 6 when the folding means 3 are in the opening configuration.

This way, when the release head 20 descends approaching the folding means 3, the cutting element 23 is able to exert a cutting action on the pasta to create a portion of single layer to fold.

In the present embodiment, the cutting action is facilitated by the presence of a deflection plane 24 adapted to convey the single layer of pasta towards the folding means 3 and shaped in the form of a blade in such a way as to maximize the action exerted by the cutting element 23 on the single layer of pasta.

The machine 1 also comprises a crushing element 25 positioned on the release head 20 at the constrained ends 7, 9.

The crushing element 25 is adapted to crush the single layer of pasta when the release head 20 is in the approach configuration so as to form a preferential folding area on the layer of pasta itself.

The crushing element 25 is also screwed onto the release head 20, but, unlike the cutting element 23, has a rounded profile and is in such a position to sink downwards above the constrained ends 7, 9 when the folding means 3 are in the opening configuration.

This way, when the release head 20 descends approaching the folding means 3, the crushing element 25 is able to exert a pressure on the pasta to create an area on the single layer which is less resistant to folding.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises forming means 26 of the single layer, placed upstream of the folding means 3 along the direction of advancement 8. The forming means 26 are inserted in a box- shaped casing 27, open at the top and fixed to the base structure 2.

The casing 27 comprises an inlet opening 28, formed on top of the casing itself, and an outlet opening 29, formed on the base of the same.

The inlet opening 28 has greater dimensions than the outlet opening 29.

In particular, the forming means 26 comprise three pairs of counter-rotating rollers 30a, 30b, 30c, placed facing each other and between which a mass of pasta to be formed is made to pass from above. Each pair is formed by two rollers 30 which are substantially horizontal and spaced away from one another.

The pairs of rollers 30 are arranged in cascade and have distances between the single rollers which decrease from top to bottom.

This way, the mass of pasta undergoes a progressive crushing until it becomes a single layer of pasta.

Different solutions cannot however be ruled out in which, for example, the pairs of rollers are in a number different to three, or solutions that provide for a different arrangement of the rollers, e.g. inclined with respect to the vertical. Advantageously, the forming means 26 comprise trimming means 31 adapted to shape the single layer of pasta.

The trimming means 31 are cutting elements, for simplicity not represented in the figure, positioned at the outlet opening 29 and adapted to intercept the single layer of pasta coming from the pair of rollers 30c, that is, the closest to the outlet opening itself.

The cutting elements interact with the layer of pasta by cutting it in such a way as to allow the exit of the layer itself from the outlet opening 29.

This way, the single layer of outgoing pasta has a ribbon-shaped conformation with a substantially constant width.

In the present embodiment, the deflection plane 24 is arranged below the outlet opening 29 so as to receive the single trimmed layer of pasta and deflect it towards the folding means 3.

Still with reference to the present embodiment, the machine 1 has deflection elements of the excess pasta resulting from trimming, for simplicity not shown in the figures, which are internally associated with the casing 27 and adapted to move the excess pasta from the casing itself.

This solution allows the user to recover the pasta cut during trimming to reuse it at a later time.

The forming means 26, furthermore, are associated with third motor means adapted to put the rollers 30 in rotation.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises closure means 32 of the double layer of pasta coming from the folding means 3, for the formation of a finished product of filled pasta, e.g. a cappelletto.

The closure means 32 are placed downstream of the folding means 3 along the direction of advancement 8.

Conveniently, the closure means 32 are movable along the direction of advancement 8, meaning that they can slide along a guide, for simplicity not shown in the figures, close to and away from the folding means 3.

The solution cannot be ruled out in which the closure means 32 are fixed.

In particular, the closure means 32 comprise two gripping assemblies 33, 34, but alternative solutions cannot be ruled out in which the gripping assemblies 33, 34 are in a different number.

Each gripping assembly 33, 34 comprises one abutment element 33 and one gripping element 34.

The abutment element 33 is adapted to receive at least one portion of the double layer of pasta.

The gripping element 34, instead, is movable between a release configuration, in which it is moved away with respect to the abutment element 33, and a gripping configuration, in which it is approached to the abutment element 33 so as to form a closed flap of the double layer of pasta.

The gripping element 34 approaches and moves away from the abutment element 33 so as to enter in contact with the latter and grip the pasta interposed between them.

This way the tightening grip of a hand is partly reproduced, in particular the grip of the thumb in opposition to one or more of the other fingers of the hand. This grip allows closing the flaps of the double layer, sealing them by pressure. In the present embodiment, the closure means 32 comprise two gripping assemblies 33, 34 facing each other.

These are associated with a positioning frame 35 secured to the base structure 2 of the machine 1.

The positioning frame 35 has an elongated body 36, shiftable along a shifting direction 37.

The gripping assemblies 33, 34 are arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to the elongated body 36. Advantageously, the gripping assemblies 33, 34 are movable close to each other for the union of respective closed flaps.

This way, the closed flaps made by each gripping assemblies 33, 34 are joined by pressure so as to give the pasta the final shape of the finished product.

With reference to the present embodiment, the gripping elements 34 are hinged to the elongated body 36 so as to shift with it and being able to rotate with respect to it.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the gripping elements 34 are tubular and have a protruding hinging portion 38 and surrounding the elongated body 36 in a ring- shaped manner.

At the lower ends, each gripping element 34 has crushing portions 39 adapted to press the underlying pasta.

The crushing portions 39 are of the type of lamellar legs, but different solutions cannot be ruled out, e.g. molds and matrices of various kinds and various shapes.

Each of the abutment elements 33, on the other hand, has an abutment plane 43, arranged below the gripping elements 34 and adapted to support the double layer of pasta coming from the folding means.

Conveniently, each abutment plane 43 is surrounded by containment sides 40 adapted to confine the double layer of pasta.

The abutment elements 33 also comprise elongated portions 41 which extend in height with respect to the abutment plane 43.

Conveniently, the elongated portions 41 extend parallel to the elongated body 36.

Even the abutment elements 33 are rotatable with respect to the elongated body 36.

In particular, each abutment element 33 is associated with a connecting body 42 hinged to the elongated body 36, thus allowing the abutment element 33 to rotate with respect to the elongated body 36.

Furthermore, each connecting body 42 at least partially surrounds a corresponding elongated portion 41 of the gripping element 34.

This solution allows the connecting body 42 to drive the gripping element 34 into the rotary motion, while allowing the latter to slide close to and away from the abutment plane 43.

This way, the gripping elements 34 can slide along the shifting direction 37 to make the approach configuration described above, and therefore crush the pasta placed on the abutment plane 43.

Once the approach configuration has been made, the gripping assemblies 33, 34 can rotate by approaching the crushing portions 39 and the corresponding abutment planes 43.

This movement simulates two hands exercising a grip on the pasta as that previously described and in mutual approach to exert a pressure on the closed flaps held by each hand.

This way, the closed flaps are subjected to a mutual pressure that allows their union, and therefore the final closure of the finished product, e.g. a cappelletto. The closure means 32 are associated with two actuator elements 44, 45 adapted to actuate the movable parts of the closure means themselves.

In particular, the closure means 32 are associated with a first actuator element

44 operatively connected to the elongated body 36 and adapted to move the elongated body itself along the shifting direction 37.

The operation of the first actuator element 44, therefore, allows the displacement of the gripping elements 34, driven by the elongated body 36, close to or away from the abutment elements 33.

Moreover, the closure means 32 are associated with a second actuator element

45 operatively connected to the connecting body 42.

Advantageously, the second actuator element 45 is associated with the connecting body 42 by means of the connecting rods 46 adapted to transfer the linear motion of the actuator to the connecting body 42 for its rotation around the elongated body 36.

The operation of the second actuator element 45, therefore, allows the displacement of the whole gripping assemblies 33, 34 close to each other, being both the gripping element 34 and the abutment element 33 driven into rotation by the connecting body 42.

In the present embodiment, the first motor means 13, the second motor means, the third motor means and the actuator elements 44, 45 are operated in a programmed and coordinated manner, so as to allow integration of the pasta forming, folding and closing operations.

The operation of the present invention is as follows.

A mass of pasta to be transformed is flattened with the forming means 26.

In particular, the mass of pasta is inserted in the casing 27 from the inlet opening 28 and conveyed towards the outlet opening 29 through the rotation of the pairs of rollers 30.

Going down from the pair of rollers 30a to the pair of rollers 30b up to the pair of rollers 30c, the mass of pasta undergoes a progressive crushing, being "flattened" and then transformed into a single layer of pasta that flows out of the outlet opening 29.

The trimming means 31 cut the single layer before it comes out of the casing 27, giving it the constant width ribbon-shaped conformation already previously described.

The single ribbon- shaped layer of pasta thus formed is collected by the deflection plane 24 and conveyed towards the folding means 3.

The rotation of the rollers 30 allows the layer of pasta to reach the receiving element 4 and the moving away element 5, the latter being in the opening configuration.

In this configuration, the dosing means 19 release a dose of product on the single layer of pasta lying on the elements mentioned above.

In particular, the release head 20 descends towards the layer of pasta and releases the dose at the concavity 4a.

At the same time, the release head 20 drives into motion the cutting element 23 and the crushing element 25 allowing them to sink in the layer of pasta.

This way, the ribbon- shaped layer of pasta is cut by the cutting element 23 at the first free end 6 to form a portion of single layer of pasta.

At the same time, the layer of pasta is crushed at the constrained ends 7, 9 so as to form a preferred folding area.

Passing from the opening configuration to the closure configuration, the receiving element 4 is brought in contact with the moving away element 5 causing the folding of the single layer of pasta and the consequent formation of the double layer of pasta with the filling.

Subsequently, when the elements 4, 5 return to the opening configuration, the double layer formed is driven away from the opening means thanks to the action of the sliding means 14, 15, 16.

The flexible elements 14 and the auxiliary sliding element 16 drive the double layer and convey it towards the closure means 32.

In particular, the double layer is transferred on the abutment planes 43 of the abutment elements 33, with the gripping elements 34 that are in the moving away configuration.

Once the double layer of pasta has been positioned, the gripping elements 34, operated by the first actuator element 44, are brought to the approach configuration and exert, through the crushing portions 39, the pressure required to form the previously described closed flaps.

In this configuration, the whole gripping assemblies 33, 34 are mobilized by the second actuator element 45 through the connecting body 42.

The gripping assemblies 33, 34 are brought closer to each other so as to exert such a pressure to allow the union of the closed flaps and then the realization of the finished product.

It has in practice been found that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the devised machine for the production of filled pasta allows extending the production of this type of pasta also on a small scale, e.g. domestic.

In fact, the components used to realize the folding means and to operate the same are reduced in size, not bulky and require an amount of energy that is easily available in a domestic environment.

Similarly, the components used in the previously described embodiment are also of small size and with low energy consumption.

Taking this into consideration, the machine for the production of filled pasta allows facilitating the pasta folding, filling and closing operations thus minimizing the overall dimensions and energy consumption of the machine itself. Finally, the devised machine for the production of filled pasta allows providing support in the traditional domestic production.

In fact, the devised machine allows using homemade ingredients, such as egg pasta, without necessarily incurring in the pasta flattening and closing operations which are, as everybody knows, difficult and not very easy, especially for older people.

The illustrated machine, therefore, provides a valuable support to any users who want to create homemade pasta in a fast and simple manner and without incurring in drawbacks related to fatigue and discomfort of certain maneuvers otherwise required by tradition.