RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/750,705 (filed October 25, 2018), the entire disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of pressing molds that can be used for forming and steaming edible materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides molds for forming a utensil that include: a first generally planar mold member having a top surface comprising at least one utensil-complementary form in the shape of a utensil recessed into the top surface of the first mold member for receiving uncooked dough, the form comprising contours complementary to a first side of the utensil, and at least one vertical side; and a second generally planar mold member having a bottom surface comprising at least one second utensil-complementary form in the shape of the utensil that is recessed into the bottom surface of the second mold member, for contacting the uncooked dough received on first mold member, the second form comprising contours complementary to a second side of the utensil, which second utensil side opposes the first utensil side, and at least one vertical side.

[0004] In certain embodiments, the first and second mold members are made of plastic and comprise one or more openings to allow air, steam and or water to flow through. The openings can be, for example at least one of a drainage port, a slot, a hole, a vent, a port or a penetration. In certain aspects, the openings between first and second mold members align to form ventilation channels. The mold members can also include one or more shoulder region for orienting dough on the forms.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the mold members are stackable and or can form utensils selected from a spoon, a fork, a spork, and a chopstick. Each mold member can include 1, 2 or a plurality of utensil complementary forms. The mold members can be made from a variety of materials such as plastic (e.g. polyetherimide) and metal (e.g. stainless steel). The stainless steel can be perforated and in some embodiments, has a thickness of 1.0 mm. The stainless steel molds can fabricated, e.g., by stamping.

[0006] The molds can include a plurality of stackable mold members that form multiple layers of utensils.

In certain aspects, each each mold member has a top surface, a bottom surface and four sides. In some aspects, the mold members are dual-sided such that each mold member has a top side that forms the bottom of one or more utensils and a bottom side that forms the tops of the one or more utensils. In other embodiments, the bottom surface of each mold member is complementary to top surface. In certain embodiments, the mold members are compatible with industrial use. [0007] The invention also provides assemblies including a plurality of stacked mold members, a plurality of utensil-shaped dough pieces, and a platform for supporting the stacked mold members. In some embodiments, the platform inlcludes pegs that engage openings in a mold member.

[0008] Also provides are processes for producing a plurality of edible and biodegradable comprising the steps of: preparing an edible and biodegradable dough; rolling the dough to a desired thickness; cutting a plurality of utensil-shaped portions of the rolled dough; providing a platform for supporting a stacked assembly of molds adapted for securing to an oven rack; providing a plurality of mold members, each mold member comprising a first utensil-complementary form disposed on the top surface thereof, and a second utensil-complementary form disposed on the bottom surface thereof; engaging one of the plurality of mold members on the platform; placing a utensil-shaped portion of uncooked dough on the utensil-complementary form of the platform-engaged mold member; contacting the dough with the second utensil-complementary form disposed on the bottom surface of a second mold member to form a first layer of utensil mold;

repeating the steps, wherein subsequent layers of molds are stacked on top of the first mold, the second mold member becoming the bottom mold member for subsequent layers, until a desired number of utensils are molded, thereby producing a stacked assembly of molded dough; placing the stacked a stacked assembly of molded dough on an oven rack; steaming the stacked assembly of molded dough; cooling the steamed dough; and removing the cooled utensils from the molds, thereby producing a plurality of edible and biodegradable utensils

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first mold member 52 according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil bottom-complementary forms 12. The plurality of forms 12 are labeled 12A-12J in this figure to illustrate correspondence to the plurality of utensil top-complementary forms 13A-13J in FIG. 2. The top view of dual-sided stackable mold member 3 is the same as first mold member 1.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a second mold member 2 according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil top-complementary forms 13. The plurality of forms are labeled 13A-13J to illustrate correspondence to the plurality of utensil bottom-complementary forms 12A-12J in FIG. 1. The top view of dual-sided stackable mold member 3 is the same as second mold member 2.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the first mold member 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a portion of the second mold member 2 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a dual-sided stackable mold member 3 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a mold assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a stacked mold assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view of the platform 44 illustrated in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 10 is a photograph of a prior art revolving commercial oven suitable for use in certain systems and processes of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a photograph of prior art stacking device illustrating a process of a stacking contemplated for use in certain systems and processes of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 12A is a top view of a first mold member 101 (forming a spoon) according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil-complementary forms 112. The bottom view of the first mold member 101 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown.

[0021] FIG. 12B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0022] FIG. 12C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0023] FIG. 13A is a top view of a second mold member 102 according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil top-complementary forms 113. The bottom view of the second mold member 102 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown.

[0024] FIG. 13B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0025] FIG. 13C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0026] FIG. 14A is a top view of a first mold member 101 (for molding a fork) according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil-complementary forms 112. The bottom view of the first mold member 101 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown.

[0027] FIG. 14B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 14A.

[0028] FIG. 14C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 14A.

[0029] FIG. 15A is a top view of a second mold member 102 (for molding a fork) according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil top-complementary forms 113. The bottom view of the second mold member 102 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown.

[0030] FIG. 15B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 15A.

[0031] FIG. 15C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 15A.

[0032] FIG. 16A is a top view of a first mold member 101 (forming a knife) according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil-complementary forms 112. The bottom view of the first mold member 101 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown.

[0033] FIG. 16B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0034] FIG. 16C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0035] FIG. 17A is a top view of a second mold member 101 (forming a knife) according to embodiments of the invention having a plurality of utensil-complementary forms 113. The bottom view of the first mold member 101 (not shown) is the complement of the top mold member. For clarity, openings 124 are not shown. [0036] FIG. 17B is a side (117) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0037] FIG. 17C is a side (119) view of the first mold member shown in FIG. 12A.

[0038] FIG. 18A is a side view an interlocking connector dowel 136 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 18B is a bottom view of the interlocking connector dowel 136 illustrated in FIG16A.

[0040] FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking connector dowel 136 illustrated in FIG16C.

[0041] FIG. 18D illustrates connecting two interlocking connector dowels 136.

[0042] FIG 19 is a 3D illustration of a side perspective viewl 12 of the interlocking connector dowel 136 of

FIG 16 A.

[0043] FIG 20 is a 3D illustration of a top perspective view of the interlocking connector dowel 136 of FIG 16A illustrating openings 124.

[0044] FIG. 21A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 12A illustrating openings 124.

[0045] FIG. 21 B is a side perspective view of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 12 C.

[0046] FIG. 21C is a side perspective view of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 12 B.

[0047] FIG. 22 A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 13A illustrating openings 124.

[0048] FIG. 22B is a 3-D side perspective view of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 13 C.

[0049] FIG. 22C is a3-D side perspective view of a portion of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 13 B

[0050] FIG. 23A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 15A illustrating openings 124.

[0051] FIG. 23B is a side perspective view of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 15C.

[0052] FIG. 23C is a side perspective view of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 15B.

[0053] FIG. 24A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 14A illustrating openings 124.

[0054] FIG. 24B is a 3-D side perspective view of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 14C.

[0055] FIG. 24C is a3-D side perspective view of a portion of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 14B.

[0056] FIG. 25A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 17A illustrating openings 124.

[0057] FIG. 25B is a side perspective view of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 17C.

[0058] FIG. 25C is a side perspective view of the mold member 101 illustrated in FIG. 17B.

[0059] FIG. 26A is a 3-D top perspective illustration of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 16A illustrating openings 124.

[0060] FIG. 26B is a 3-D side perspective view of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG. 16C. [0061] FIG. 26C is a3-D side perspective view of a portion of the mold member 102 illustrated in FIG.

16B.

[0062] FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of a mold assembly comprising two mold members (101, 102) with dough therebetween and four connectors 136.

[0063] FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of a mold assembly 110 comprising pairs of mold members (101, 102) with dough therebetween and a plurality of connectors 136.

[0064] FIG. 29 is a top view of a platform 144 for supporting mold members, and stacked mold assemblies according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0065] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. As used herein, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein,“or” means“and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, use of the term“including” as well as other forms, such as“includes,” and“included,” is not limiting.

[0066] Section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0067] “About" as used herein means that a number referred to as "about" comprises the recited number plus or minus 1-10% of that recited number. For example, "about" 100 mm can mean 95-105 mm or as few as 99-101 mm depending on the situation. Whenever it appears herein, a numerical range such as "1 to 20" refers to each integer in the given range; e.g., "1 to 20 mm" means that the range can be only 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, etc., up to and including 20 mm. Where a range described herein includes decimal values, such as “1.2% to 10.5%”, the range refers to each decimal value of the smallest increment indicated in the given range; e.g.“1.2% to 10.5%” means that the percentage can be 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, etc. up to and including 10.5%; while“1.20% to 10.50%” means that the percentage can be 1.20%, 1.21%, 1.22%, 1.23%, etc. up to and including 10.50%.

[0068] As used herein, the term“substantially” refers to a great extent or degree. For example, “substantially all” typically refers to at least about 90%, frequently at least about 95%, often at least 99%, and more often at least about 99.9%.

[0069] The present invention provides ventilated, stackable, pressing molds for the preparation of edible and biodegradable utensils and other comestible items. Specifically, the molds form and maintain a 3- dimensional utensil shape from malleable, uncooked, edible dough throughout a process of steaming and dehydration of the edible dough to form items of sufficient strength for use as utensils such as cutlery that are both edible and biodegradable.

[0070] The utensils can be used for serving, cutting and eating food and thereafter, the utensils can be consumed by the user, fed to animals or composted. The molds are suitable for preparing cutlery such as forks, spoons, sporks (a hybrid utensil including a spoon-like shallow scoop with two or more fork-like tines), knives, chopsticks and the like. Exemplary utensils that can be prepared using the molds of the invention are illustrated in PCT International Application Publication No. WO 2018/157119 (published August 30, 2018), the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0071] In other embodiments of the invention, the molds are useful for preparing other comestible items, such as a teething and chewing devices, including baby teethers, dog bones and chew toys.

[0072] The molds of the invention are also suitable for preparing edible plates, bowls, cups, other dishes, as well as food serving and dispensing items (collectively“dishware”), including but not limited to take-out containers. The molds of the invention are particularly adapted to making items from grain-based dough, which may be a more ecologically friendly alternative to plastic. The invention contemplates that many other products that are currently made from plastic, particularly disposable plastics that would otherwise be discarded and may wind up polluting the environment, could be made using the molds and methods described herein.

[0073] The edible utensils and other items that can be made using molds of the invention, have a first or top surface, a second or bottom surface opposing the first side, and a thickness. Each surface can independently be planar, convex, concave or can include a combination of planar, convex, and/or concave regions.

[0074] The thickness of each utensil can be uniform or it can vary from one area of the utensil to another. For example, a knife that includes a blade portion and a handle portion may be thicker throughout the handle portion than it is in the area of the cutting edge of the blade. Variations in thickness, as well as ribs, gussets and the like can be included in the utensil and dishware shapes prepared using the molds of the invention to increase the strength of the molded pieces. In certain aspects of the invention, reinforcing variations, ribs, gussets and the like are strategically formed in areas that are exposed to stress forces during use.

[0075] Molds for preparing utensils according to one embodiment of the invention include a first generally planar mold member 1 (FIG. 1) and a second generally planar mold member 2 (FIG 2.), each mold member having a top surface 4, a bottom surface 5, and at least one vertical side (e.g. a continuous side such as in a circle), but typically having four vertical sides 6-9; the first mold member 1 including at least one utensil complementary form 12 in the shape of a utensil that is recessed into the top surface 4 of the first mold member 1 for receiving uncooked dough, the form 12 comprising contours complementary to a first side of the utensil; and the second mold member 2 including at least one utensil-complementary form 13 in the shape of the utensil that is recessed into the bottom surface 5 of the second mold member 2 for contacting the dough received on the first mold member 1, the form 13 comprising utensil contours complementary to the second side of the utensil that opposes the first utensil side. The first side of the utensil, which is complementary to form 12, is typically the underside of the utensil while the opposing second side of the utensil, which is complementary to form 13, is typically the topside of the utensil.

[0076] The mold can have any overall shape, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, or circular, but is most often rectangular, having four sides 6-9. The four sides may be of the same or different lengths and heights. In one aspect, a first vertical side 6 opposes and is generally parallel to a second vertical side 7, both of which first and second vertical sides (6, 7) having generally rectangular shapes that are similar, identical or are mirror images of each other. According to this aspect of the invention, a third vertical side 8 opposes and is generally parallel to a fourth vertical side 9; both the third and fourth vertical sides may have generally rectangular shapes that are similar, identical or mirror images of each other, or may be for example, curved rectangular, arched rectangular or have complex geometric shapes that include multiple curves, arches and/or linear edges. In one aspect of the invention, vertical sides 8 and 9 include two curved regions corresponding to the food usage portion of the utensil.

[0077] The first and second mold members (1, 2) are mated such that together they form a three dimensionally shaped utensil when uncooked dough is placed on form 12 of first mold member 1 and the dough is then contacted with form 13 of second mold member 2 to form a sandwich as illustrated schematically in FIG. 6.

[0078] In certain aspects of the invention (shown e.g. in FIGs. 1 and 2), the forms 12 and 13 each include a handle portion 14 and a food usage portion 16 (e.g., a portion forming the tines of a fork or bowl of a spoon). The food usage portion 16 may be oriented to drain away from dough placed on form 12. In some aspects, the food usage portion 16 of form 12 is recessed deeper into the first mold member 1 than the handle portion 14, and thereby the food usage portion 16 is lower than the handle portion 14 in the assembled final mold assembly /sandwich 10 (shown schematically in FIG. 6) to increase drainage and direct it away from the dough. For example, mold assembly 10 can include an arched or curved shape, and/or form 12 may be sloped relative to the overall surface plane of the first mold member 1. See FIG. 5. In certain aspects, arches, curves or slopes in the forms (12, 13) may also be reflected in an arch, curve or slope shape of the third and fourth vertical sides (8, 9) as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0079] Form 12 can also include a shoulder 18, which is a shallow broadening of the form adjacent to all or a part of the utensil outline. Inclusion of a shoulder 18 has been found to improve placement of uncooked dough in the mold by avoiding deformation of the dough and to retain the dough in the form throughout the steaming process. Tabs 19 may also be included in the form to direct placement and to maintain separation between parts of the utensil, such as the tines of a fork, and between adjacent utensils during the steaming process.

[0080] In a further aspect of the invention, the first and second mold members (1, 2) comprise drainage ports 20 (e.g., through holes) or collection recesses 22 (e.g., blind holes or slots that collect water) into which water drains away from the dough placed on the form. The drainage ports 20 and collection recesses 22 are disposed at points where water may accumulate, such as low points in the mold members 1 and 2, and at points where the mold has been designed to flow water away from the dough as described above. In certain aspects of the invention, drainage ports 20 through the second mold member 2, align with drainage ports 20 through the first mold member 1, thereby providing a route for water to drain through and out of the assembled final mold 10.

[0081] The first and second mold members (1, 2) further comprise a plurality of openings 24 to allow air and/or steam to flow through the mold. The openings include one or more open slots, holes, ports and/or other penetrations through the first and second mold members (1, 2), which can be perpendicular to the surface plane of the mold members as illustrated in the various figures, or can be disposed at an oblique angle relative to the surface plane of the mold members. In certain aspects, the openings are regularly spaced slots 26 through the full thickness of each of the first and second mold members (1, 2), and are distributed throughout the utensil-complementary forms 12 and 13 and shoulder regions 18 in an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the forms, which axes run from the handle portion 14 to food usage portion 16 of forms 12 and 13. The space between slots 26 can vary, but is frequently approximately equal to or slightly wider than that of the slots, thereby forming slats 28 between adjacent slots. In certain embodiments, the slots, holes, ports and/or other penetrations through the first mold 1 member align with slots, holes, ports and/or other penetrations through the second mold member 2 such that air and/or steam can flow vertically through an assembly 10 of the first and second mold members (1, 2).

[0082] Furthermore, the assembled mold 10 includes one or more horizontal vents 30 between the first 1 and second 2 mold members. In one aspect of the invention, sides 8 and 9 of mold members 1 and 2 include one or more horizontal vent perforations 36a and 36b. The lower vent perforations 36a (illustrated in FIG.

5) on the sides (8, 9) of mold member 2 align horizontally with upper vent perforations 36b on mold member 1 to form ventilation channels that draw air horizontally into and through the mold 10, and passing over the baked dough to cool and dry the finished utensils before removing them from the mold 10.

[0083] In another aspect of the invention, vents are formed by vertical projections 32 disposed on one of the mold members (1, 2) that engage mated indentations 34 on the complementary mold member and hold the two mold members apart vertically. For example, two or more“leg” projections 32 on the bottom surface of the second mold member 2 can be mated to recesses 34 in the top surface 4 of the first mold member 1, the two or more legs 32 having a length that exceeds the depth of the recess by the distance the mold members are held apart from each other, thereby creating vent space 30 therebetween. Symmetrical and/or asymmetrical arrays of such legs and mated recesses of various shapes (e.g., having square, circular or triangular cross sections), sizes and/or number can be disposed on the first and second mold members to orient and stabilize assembly of the mold, as well as providing ventilation between mold members.

[0084] In certain embodiments, the mold members are held 2-10 mm apart from top of first mold member to bottom of second mold member. Typically, the distance is between about 3 mm to about 8 mm, frequently about 4 mm to about 7 mm, and most often about 5 mm to about 6 mm, such as about 5.5 mm. The spacing between mold members provides both airflow and permits control over the thickness of the dough between the first and second mold members (1, 2). The dough, when pressed between two mold members, is typically between 1 mm to about 5 mm thick, frequently between about 2 mm to about 4 mm thick, and most often about 2.5 to about 3. 5 mm thick. In certain embodiments the dough can be 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, or 4.0 mm thick.

[0085] Molds according to the invention can be designed with single utensil forms 12 and 13 to produce a single utensil, or with multiple form iterations on a single mold to produce multiple utensils of the same or different types from a single mold 10. For example, a mold comprising a first mold member 1 and a second mold member 2 can include utensil-complementary forms to produce 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more forks, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more spoons, or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more knives. The first and second mold members (1, 2) shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 are designed to produce 10 forks.

Alternatively, a mold comprising a first mold member 1 and a second mold member 2 can include utensil complementary forms to product 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more different utensils, such as one or more place settings of a fork, a spoon and a knife. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the utensil complementary forms can be arranged on the mold members to minimize overall mold surface areas and overall size, e.g. by staggering the placement of forms and contours.

[0086] Mold members can be made from any biocompatible food-grade material that can withstand the conditions of steaming and dehydration of the utensils of the invention, without deforming. Exemplary materials include metals (such as aluminum or stainless steel) and plastics, such as ULTEM 1010™

(polyetherimide). Mold members of the invention have a thickness sufficient to press, form and retain uncooked dough in a utensil shape. Plastic mold members typically have a thickness of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, frequently about 6.5 mm to about 9 mm, and most often about 7.5 mm to about 8 mm.

[0087] In one embodiment of the invention, each mold 100 can include a plurality of stackable mold members that form multiple layers of utensils, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the plurality of stackable mold members includes a first mold member 1 having a top surface 4 as described above, with second and subsequent mold members having bottom surfaces 5 also as described above, thereby forming a first layer of utensils when uncooked dough is molded between the first and second mold members. The second and subsequent stackable mold members 3 according to this embodiment of the invention also have a top surface 4 identical to the top surface of the first mold member, which can thus form the bottom of an additional layer of utensils when dough is molded between the second and a subsequent mold member 3. Further layers of utensils are formed by molding additional dough between subsequent mold members, each subsequent mold members having a top surface complementary to the bottom of one or more utensils and a bottom surface complementary to the top(s) of the one or more utensils. In certain aspects, each of the plurality of mold members 3 has identical top and bottom surfaces (4, 5) and identical vertical sides (6-9).

[0088] An assembly 10 of a first mold member 1 and second mold member 2 with a layer of dough therebetween to form a single layer of utensil(s) is illustrated schematically in FIG. 6. An assembly 200 of five identical, stackable mold members 3 with four layers of dough to form four utensil layers is illustrated schematically in FIG. 7.

Assemblies

[0089] The invention further provides an assembly 200 for preparing utensils comprising a plurality of stackable mold members 3, each having identical top and bottom surfaces as described above; and a platform 44 for supporting the stacked mold. The platform 44 includes pegs 46 that engage openings in the bottom of stackable mold members, such as the drainage ports 20. In one aspect, the legs 32 disposed on the bottom surfaces of mold members that are mated to recesses 34 in the top surfaces of mold members also serve to stabilize the stacked mold. The platform 44 can be a sheet, rack or other horizontal form; typically, the platform 44 acts to support the bottom mold member in a stacked mold. The open center of the embodiment of platform 44 illustrated in FIG. 9 facilitates and encourages ventilation from beneath the stacked mold. In certain aspects the platform 44 is adapted for used in a commercial steaming oven, such that the platform 44 can be placed on an oven rack and rotated vertically and/or horizontally in a commercial oven during the steaming process. In certain embodiments, the oven 47 includes revolving racks 48 and a means 49 to automate rotation of the vertical and horizontal position of racks to promote even steaming. A suitable revolving rack commercial oven is shown in FIG. 10 in which dough 50 is shown on revolving racks rotated by a means 49 that includes the illustrated gear. In certain embodiments, the invention thus provides a system for producing utensils that incudes a plurality of stackable mold members 3; a platform 44 that engages and secures a mold 10 or stacked assembly of mold members 100; and an oven 47 that includes rotating racks 48 that accepts platform 44 and secures the mold 10 or a stacked assembly of mold members 100 during rotation and steaming.

[0090] The system can also include a means for placing dough on mold members and a means for stacking mold members. Dough can be placed on each form manually by an operator using e.g., a spatula or placement can be automated.

[0091] The means 37 for stacking mold members can include manual stacking by an operator, or it can include a mechanized and/or automated stacking device that engages unstacked mold members, stacks them one on top of another, and then releases the stacked mold member. A means 37 contemplated for stacking mold members is similar to the device illustrated in FIG. 11, which is used to stack trays of table eggs. This means provides a pair of stacking arms 38 that engage lift holes 40 on the opposing sides of a stackable mold member; the stacking arms 38 then lift and position the engaged mold member on top of another stackable mold member, and then disengages the stackable mold member in a stacked position.

[0092] The present invention also provides a process for producing a plurality of edible and biodegradable utensils using the molds of the invention. The process includes the steps of: (a) preparing an edible and biodegradable dough; (b) rolling the dough to a desired thickness; (c) cutting a plurality of utensil-shaped portions of the rolled dough; (d) providing a platform for supporting a stacked assembly of molds adapted for securing to an oven rack; (e) providing a plurality of mold members, each mold member comprising a first utensil-complementary form disposed on the top surface thereof, and a second utensil-complementary form disposed on the bottom surface thereof; (f) engaging one of the plurality of mold members on the platform; (g) placing a utensil-shaped portion of uncooked dough on the utensil-complementary form of the platform- engaged mold member; (h) contacting the dough with the second utensil-complementary form disposed on the bottom surface of a second mold member to form a first layer of utensil mold; (i) repeating steps (f)-(h) wherein subsequent layers of molds are stacked on top of the first mold, the second mold member becoming the bottom mold member for subsequent layers, until a desired number of utensils are molded, thereby producing a stacked assembly of molded dough; (j) placing the stacked a stacked assembly of molded dough on an oven rack; (k) steaming the stacked assembly of molded dough; (1) cooling the steamed dough; and (m) removing the cooled utensils from the molds, thereby producing a plurality of edible and biodegradable utensils. [0093] Recipes for dough suitable for use in methods of the invention are provided in PCT International Application Publication No. WO 2018/157119 (published August 30, 2018), the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. Also provided are instructions for preparing, kneading, and rolling dough as well as forms for cutting the dough into utensil shapes, and preferred ranges of utensil thicknesses and dimensions.

Industrial mold members

[0094] Certain applications of the invention require a particularly durable and inflexible material, such as large-scale industrial applications designed for high throughput production of large numbers of utensils. Metals, particularly stainless steel, are more suitable for this application as they resist scratching and pulling, and can be exposed to repeated washing and sanitizing conditions without deformation. The molds described herein above, can be made from stainless steel, aluminum, copper or any other durable biocompatible material typically used in a commercial kitchen or food production facility.

[0095] The dual-sided molds described above derive stability from the thickness of the mold and if made of stainless steel, would be heavy and require a substantial amount of steel to produce. More cost-efficient industrial molds according to certain aspects of the invention, are made from sheets of stainless steel having a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm, such as 0.5 mm, 0. 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0,8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1. 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1,8 mm, 1.9 mm, or 2.0 mm. The sheets of stainless steel are fabricated to include at least one 3-dimensional utensil-complementary form 112 in the shape of a utensil that is recessed into the top surface 104 of the first metal mold member 101 for receiving uncooked dough, the form 112 comprising contours complementary to a first side of the spoon utensil; and the second mold member 102 including at least one utensil-complementary form 113 in the shape of the utensil that is recessed into the top surface 106 of the second mold member 102 for contacting the dough received on the first mold member 101, the form 113 comprising utensil contours complementary to the second side of the utensil that opposes the first utensil side. In this embodiment of the invention, the first side of the utensil, which is complementary to form 112, is not the underside of the utensil. Instead, the opposing second side of the utensil, which is complementary to form 113, is disposed on a separate distinct mold member 102. Thus, two different mold members are combined to form each utensil or multiples of utensils.

[0096] This embodiment of the invention also provides ventilated, stackable, pressing molds for the preparation of edible and biodegradable utensils and other comestible items. The molds of this embodiment also form and maintain a 3 -dimensional utensil shape from malleable, uncooked, edible dough throughout a process of steaming and dehydration of the edible dough to form items of sufficient strength for use as utensils such as cutlery that are both edible and biodegradable. The finished utensils and other products produced with the industrial molds of the invention are in all aspects the same as those produced with the dual sided molds described above.

[0097] Industrial molds for preparing utensils according to an embodiment of the invention include a first generally planar mold member 101 (see e.g. FIG. 12A-C) and a second generally planar mold member 102 (see e.g. FIG 13.), each mold member having a top surface 104, a bottom surface (not shown), and at least one vertical side (e.g. a continuous side such as in a circle), but typically having four vertical sides 116-119; the first mold member 101 including at least one 3 dimensional utensil-complementary form 112 in the shape of a utensil that is recessed into the top surface 104 of the first mold member 101 for receiving uncooked dough, the form 112 comprising contours complementary to a first side of the utensil; and the second mold member 102 including at least one utensil-complementary form 113 in the shape of the utensil that is recessed into the top surface 104 of the second mold memberl02 for contacting the dough received on the first mold member 101, the form 113 comprising utensil contours complementary to the second side of the utensil that opposes the first utensil side. Each side of the utensil, is typically formed by a different mold member.

[0098] Each mold member has a width x, a length y and a height z. For reference, the spoon mold members shown in FIGs. 12A-C and 13 A-C are 243 mm long, 250 mm wide and 23.8 mm high.

[0099] The mold can have any overall shape, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, or circular, but is most often rectangular, having four sides 116-119. The four sides may be of the same or different lengths and heights. In one aspect, a first vertical side 116 opposes and is generally parallel to a second vertical side 117, both of which first and second vertical sides (116, 117) having generally rectangular shapes that are similar, identical or are mirror images of each other. According to this aspect of the invention, a third vertical side 118 opposes and is generally parallel to a fourth vertical side 119; both the third and fourth vertical sides may have generally rectangular shapes that are similar, identical or mirror images of each other, or may be for example, curved rectangular, arched rectangular or have complex geometric shapes that include multiple curves, arches and/or linear edges. In one aspect of the invention, vertical sides 118 and 119 include two curved regions corresponding to the food usage portion of the utensil.

[0100] The first and second mold members (101, 102) are mated such that together they form a three dimensionally shaped utensil when uncooked dough is placed on form 112 of first mold member 101 and the dough is then contacted with form 113 of second mold member 102 to form a sandwich as illustrated schematically in FIG. 26.

[0101] In certain aspects of the invention (shown e.g. in FIGs. 12A, 13A, 14A, 15A, 16A, 17A), the forms 112 and 113 each include a handle portion 114 and a food usage portion 116 (e.g., a portion forming the tines of a fork or bowl of a spoon). The food usage portion 116 may be oriented to drain away from dough placed on form 112. In some aspects, the food usage portion 116 of form 112 is recessed deeper into the first mold member 101 than the handle portion 114, and thereby the food usage portion 116 is lower than the handle portion 114 in the assembled final mold assembly/sandwich 110 to increase drainage and direct it away from the dough. For example, mold assembly 110 can include an arched or curved shape, and/or form 112 may be sloped relative to the overall surface plane of the first mold member 1. In certain aspects, arches, curves or slopes in the forms (112, 113) may also be reflected in an arch, curve or slope shape of the third and fourth vertical sides (118, 119). [0102] In a further aspect of the invention, the first and second industrial mold members (101, 200) comprise openings 124 (e.g., through holes perpendicular to the surface plane of the mold) into which water drains away from the dough placed on the form, and allow air and/or steam to flow through the mold. The openings 124 are disposed at least throughout forms 112 and 113, and most often throughout the mold members 101 and 102. The openings 124 can be uniform in size and or regularly spaced throughout the mold members (101, 102), or they can be concentrated, larger, or more frequent in areas that require increased drainage or air and/or steam flow. In certain aspects of the this embodiment, the openings 124 have a diameter between about 2.0 and about 3.0 mm, such as 2.0 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.4 mm,

2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.9 mm, or 3.0 mm; typically the openings 124 are about 2.2 mm to about

2.6 mm in diameter, most often, about 2.4 mm. Typically, the openings cover about 30% to about 70% of the surface area of each mold member; such as about 40% to about 60% of the surface area of each mold member, 45% to about 55% of the surface area of each mold member; and most often 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, or 54% of the surface area of each mold member.

[0103] The openings 124 can be perpendicular to the surface plane of the mold members as illustrated in the various figures, or can be disposed at an oblique angle relative to the surface plane of the mold members.

The variation can be intentional, to improve drainage in a particular area, or incidental to fabricating the molds. Specifically, the molds can be made from perforated sheets of metal by a stamping process, which forms the mold member into three-dimensional shapes and creates forms 112 and 113. Such stamping or other means of fabricating the mold members, can distort the perforations that are the openings 124 without compromising the structural integrity and functionality of the molds. Alternatively, the openings 124 can be drilled or stamped through shaped metal mold members allowing more control over the placement and orientation of the openings. In one aspect, the openings are regularly spaced holes through the full thickness of each of the first and second mold members (101, 102), and are distributed throughout the utensil complementary forms 112 and 113 and entire surface of the mold members in an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the forms, which axes run from the handle portion 14 to food usage portion 16 of forms 112 and 113. The space between openings 124 can vary, but is frequently approximately equal to or slightly wider than that of the slots.

[0104] In another aspect of the invention, industrial molds of the invention include connector ports 134, typically circular through holes in each comer the mold members (101, 102) that engage mated, interlocking stainless-steel connector dowels 136 and are aligned with connector ports 134 on the complementary mold member. Insertion of interlocking dowel connectors hold two mold members apart vertically, stabilize the two members of the mold, and permit stacking of multiple molds as illustrated in FIG. 27 and 28.

Symmetrical and/or asymmetrical arrays of such connector ports 134 and mated connectors 136 of various shapes (e.g., having square, circular or triangular cross sections), sizes and/or number can be disposed on the first and second mold members to orient and stabilize assembly of the mold, as well as providing ventilation between mold members. [0105] Typically, the interlocking stainless-steel connector dowels 136 comprise a wide, hollow, open- ended lower region 137, and a narrow upper region 138 that is sized and shaped to be inserted into the lower region 137 of an identical connector dowel 136 as illustrated in FIG 18D. The height of the lower region 137 is selected to effect the desired spacing between mold members (101, 102).

[0106] In certain embodiments, the mold members (101, 102) are held 2-10 mm apart from top of first (bottom) mold member to bottom of second mold member. Typically, the distance is between about 3 mm to about 8 mm, frequently about 4 mm to about 7 mm, and most often about 5 mm to about 6 mm, such as about 5.5 mm. The spacing between mold members provides both airflow and permits control over the thickness of the dough between the first and second mold members (101, 102). The dough, when pressed between two mold members, is typically between 1 mm to about 5 mm thick, frequently between about 2 mm to about 4 mm thick, and most often about 2.5 to about 3. 5 mm thick. In certain embodiments the dough can be 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, or 4.0 mm thick.

[0107] Molds according to the invention can be designed with single utensil forms 112 and 113 to produce a single utensil, or with multiple form iterations on a single mold to produce multiple utensils of the same or different types from a single mold 110. For example, a mold comprising a first mold member 101 and a second mold member 102, can include utensil-complementary forms to produce 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more forks, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more spoons, or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more knives. The first and second mold members (1, 2) shown in FIGs 12 A-C and 13 A-C are designed to produce 6 spoons. Alternatively, a mold comprising a first mold member 101 and a second mold member 102 can include utensil-complementary forms to product 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more different utensils, such as one or more place settings of a fork, a spoon and a knife. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the utensil-complementary forms can be arranged on the mold members to minimize overall mold surface areas and overall size, e.g. by staggering the placement of forms and contours.

[0108] Mold members can be made from any biocompatible food-grade material that can withstand the conditions of steaming and dehydration of the utensils of the invention, without deforming. Exemplary materials include metals (such as aluminum or stainless steel) and plastics, such as ULTEM 1010™

(polyetherimide). Mold members of the invention have a thickness sufficient to press, form and retain uncooked dough in a utensil shape. Plastic mold members typically have a thickness of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, frequently about 6.5 mm to about 9 mm, and most often about 7.5 mm to about 8 mm. Stainless steel mold members typically have a thickness of about 0,5 to about 2.0 mm, frequently about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm, and most often about 1.0 mm.

[0109] In one embodiment of the invention, each industrial mold 10 can include a plurality of stackable mold members pairs (101, 102) that form multiple layers of utensils, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 27. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the plurality of stackable mold member pa includes a first mold member 101 having a top surface 104 as described above, with second mold member 102 having a top, utensil-forming surface 106 also as described above, thereby forming a first layer of utensils when uncooked dough is molded between the first and second mold members (101, 102). Further layers of utensils are formed by molding additional dough between subsequent mold member pairs.

[0110] An assembly 110 of a first mold member 101 and second mold member 102 with a layer of dough therebetween to form a single layer of utensil(s) is illustrated schematically in FIG. 26. An assembly 300 of four stackable mold member pairs (101, 102) with four layers of dough to form four utensil layers is illustrated schematically in FIG. 28.

[0111] The invention further provides an assembly 220 for preparing utensils comprising a plurality of stackable mold member pairs (101, 102); connector dowels 136; and a platform 144 for supporting the stacked mold. The platform 144 includes pegs 146 that engage openings in the lower regions 137 of connector dowels 136. The platform 144 can be a sheet, rack or other horizontal form; typically, the platform 144 acts to support the bottom mold member in a stacked mold. The open center of the embodiment of platform 144 illustrated in FIG. 29 facilitates and encourages ventilation from beneath the stacked mold. In certain aspects the platform 144 is adapted for used in a commercial steaming oven, such that the platform 144 can be placed on an oven rack and rotated vertically and/or horizontally in a commercial oven during the steaming process. In certain embodiments, the oven 47 includes revolving racks 48 and a means 49 to automate rotation of the vertical and horizontal position of racks to promote even steaming. A suitable revolving rack commercial oven is shown in FIG. 10 in which dough 50 is shown on revolving racks rotated by a means 49 that includes the illustrated gear. In certain embodiments, the invention thus provides a system for producing utensils that includes a plurality of stackable mold member pairs (101, 102) 3; a platform 144 that engages and secures a mold 11 or stacked assembly of mold members 110; and an oven 47 that includes rotating racks 48 that accepts platform 144 and secures the mold 11 or a stacked assembly of mold members 110 dining rotation and steaming.